In a peaceful suburb just south of Paris, France has introduced a laser system that is the most powerful in the world. The Apollon laser in Palaiseau produces light bursts that are so powerful they simulate the early universe. Apollon has set a new world record for laser power at 10 petawatts, outperforming all other systems.
Apollon was developed by École Polytechnique and the CNRS, with help from Thales, and is not only strong but also reliable and ready for use. The laser’s extremely short pulses, measured in femtoseconds, are used to study unusual forms of matter, gamma-ray bursts, and the acceleration of particles. Being part of Europe’s wider high-energy research network, the laser shows both scientific and political ambition.
In the U.S., scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory achieved a new breakthrough using a unique “flipper” method. The team managed to create a 1-petawatt laser pulse by first accelerating electrons to almost the speed of light and then amplifying them with undulator magnets and external lasers. Even though the pulse was short-lived, it showed a promising way to explore black holes and quantum physics.
Apollon is still the greatest of all. Unlike the SLAC experiment, Apollon is dependable and regularly supports advanced research in Europe. Its power is enhanced by being part of a continent-wide network of science.
While China, South Korea, and Romania are investing in petawatt-class lasers, Apollon shows that Europe is leading the way in high-energy physics. With lasers able to replicate nuclear reactions or study the quantum vacuum, these systems are now important tools in the new race for technological dominance. At present, France is leading the way, influencing the future of laser science.
