Ushering in the Future with Gamma Ray Lasers

Could there be more universes out there, identical or different from ours? Well, we don’t know yet.  

While a prominent concept in the MCU, Stephen Hawking’s multiverse theory, which is a hypothetical set of all universes with their own space, time, matter, energy, and physical laws, remains unproven, existing only in the realm of movies and theoretical physics.

What we need to prove the existence of is a quantum device. It is simply a system that uses quantum mechanical effects to operate, relying on the control and manipulation of quantum interactions to achieve functionalities not possible in classical systems.

In physics, a quantum, the singular form of quanta, is the minimum amount of any physical entity. For instance, the quantum of light is a photon.

Now, to uncover the mysteries of the universe, we are going to need a particular quantum device: a gamma-ray laser.

This hypothetical device would be able to produce coherent gamma rays, much like how an ordinary laser produces coherent rays of visible light. A gamma ray (symbol γ) is a penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation that arises from high-energy interactions like the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. It also arises from astronomical events like solar flares. 

Gamma rays consist of the shortest wavelength electromagnetic waves, shorter than those of X-rays. It has frequencies above 30 exahertz and wavelengths less than 10 picometers. Gamma ray photons also have the highest photon energy of any form of electromagnetic radiation.

A couple of years ago, scientists detected the highest-energy gamma rays ever, 20 tera-electronvolts, which is about ten trillion times the energy of visible light, from a dead star called a pulsar. 

Late last year, meanwhile, astrophysicists captured images of gamma-ray flares from supermassive black hole M87.

Image Source: University of California

Earlier this year, a multi-sensor detection of an intense gamma-ray flash was observed upon the collision of two lightning leaders¹. It was the first time a terrestrial gamma-ray flash (TGF) was observed in synchronisation with the discharge of lightning.

Observed in various cosmic phenomena, gamma rays are also being actively studied and created through specific experiments.

Gamma-Ray Laser Experiments and Feasibility Studies

Gamma rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that are highly penetrating and offer several advantages in various fields. 

Its potential applications include medical imaging, spacecraft propulsion, cancer treatment, and interstellar travel. Given its vast possibilities, scientists around the world are looking into making a gamma-ray laser, or graser, to produce coherent gamma rays. 

Scientists from the University of Rochester received federal funding to do that, for which they are studying the feasibility of coherent light sources.

Back in the 1980s, Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland at the University of Rochester invented chirped pulse amplification (CPA), a technique that increases the peak power of lasers and later won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physics. However, developing lasers that produce gamma rays is yet to be achieved. To tackle that, they are investigating the coherence properties of the radiation emitted when dense bunches of electrons collide with a strong laser field, which will help them understand how to produce coherent gamma rays.

“The ability to make coherent gamma rays would be a scientific revolution in creating new kinds of light sources, similar to how the discovery and development of visible light and X-ray sources changed our fundamental understanding of the atomic world.”

– The lead investigator, Antonino Di Piazza & professor of physics at the university

To study how electrons interact with lasers to emit high-energy light, the researchers will begin by looking at how one or two electrons emit light before they investigate more complicated situations with many electrons to produce coherent gamma rays. 

“We are not the first scientists who have tried creating gamma rays in this way,” said Di Piazza at the time. “But we are doing so using a fully quantum theory—quantum electrodynamics—which is an advanced approach to addressing this problem.“

Another approach to developing gamma-ray lasers includes nuclear isomer excitation. 

A research paper² from a couple of months ago outlined the method to excite nuclei of certain isotopes to a higher-energy nuclear state. Using neutron bombardment, isomeric nuclei are excited into metastable isomeric states before triggering stimulated emission of gamma rays to achieve coherence from the nucleus.

Their new and “somewhat unconventional” method aims to solve the ‘Graser dilemma’ by shifting the crystal lattice during the neutron bombardment. 

“The technology has the potential to create extremely powerful lasers that can be used in various applications, including laser weapons,” noted Yordan Katsarov from the Department of Aviation Equipment and Technologies, which is part of the Georgi Benkovski Bulgarian Air Force Academy.

Now, scientists from the University of Colorado Denver have created a chip that could one day unlock gamma-ray lasers.

This groundbreaking quantum device, which is small enough to fit in your hand, can generate extreme electromagnetic fields previously only possible in massive particle colliders. The thumb-sized chip has the potential to replace miles-long particle colliders in a not-so-distant future and help us unravel the deep mysteries of our universe, test multiverse theories, and create powerful gamma ray lasers to destroy cancer cells at the atomic level and enable other revolutionary medical treatments.

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A Tiny Chip Brings Gamma Laser Dreams Within Reach

Published in Advanced Quantum Technologies, a journal covering theoretical and experimental research in quantum science, materials, and technologies, the latest study³ was featured on the cover of the June issue.

As the study noted, nanometric confinement of electromagnetic energy is possible using plasmons.

A plasmon is a quantum of plasma oscillation, which is a rapid oscillation of the electron density in plasmas or metals. These quasiparticles are formed by collective oscillations of the conduction band electron gas. 

And “extreme plasmons unleash unparalleled possibilities, including access to unprecedented Petavolts per meter fields” (PV/m fields), which are extremely high electric field strengths, that the study noted, “open new, wide-ranging possibilities, including those in particle physics and photon sciences through nanometric confinement of large-scale electromagnetic energy.”

So, the researchers have developed an analytical model of this class of plasmons based on a quantum kinetic framework.

This latest breakthrough was made at the University of Colorado Denver with an aim to revolutionize our understanding of physics and chemistry.

“It is very exciting because this technology will open up whole new fields of study and have a direct impact on the world.”

– Aakash Sahai, an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at CU Denver

Sahai, along with Kalyan Tirumalasetty, a student in his lab who’s working on the technology with him, is moving closer to providing the scientific community with a new tool to help them turn sci-fi into reality.

“In the past, we’ve had technological breakthroughs that propelled us forward, such as the sub-atomic structure leading to lasers, computer chips, and LEDs. This innovation, which is also based on material science, is along the same lines,” added Sahai, who holds a PhD in plasma physics from Duke University and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University.

What has been achieved in this study is a way to create extreme electromagnetic fields in the laboratory that was previously impossible.

These electromagnetic fields power everything from our computer chips to super particle colliders, which accelerate and collide subatomic particles at extremely high energies to gain insights into the nature of matter, energy, and the early universe. 

It is when electrons in a material vibrate and bounce at extremely high speeds that these electromagnetic fields are created.

However, creating strong enough fields to perform advanced experiments requires huge, expensive facilities.

For instance, scientists looking into dark matter use machines like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, which is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory located in Switzerland. LHC is the most powerful particle accelerator in the world, involving a 16.7-mile ( 27-kilometre) ring of superconducting magnets with several accelerating structures to boost particles’ energy along the way.

Conducting experiments at such a scale requires massive resources. Not only is it very expensive, but it can also be highly volatile.

To overcome this problem, Sahai’s lab built a silicon (Si)-based, chip-like material, the size of your thumb.

Silicon is a semiconductor whose properties (electrical conductivity) can be altered by adding impurities (doping) and is used to manufacture microchips found in everyday devices like cell phones, as well as self-driving cars.

The novel chip-like material can handle high-energy particle beams and control the flow of the energy. It also allows scientists and researchers to gain access to electromagnetic fields that are produced by the vibrations or oscillations of the quantum electron gas. And all this is being achieved in a tiny space.

The rapid movement (oscillations) creates the electromagnetic fields, while Sahai’s technique enables the material to manage the heat flow that’s generated by the vibration and helps keep the sample stable and intact.

“Manipulating such high energy flow while preserving the underlying structure of the material is the breakthrough. This breakthrough in technology can make a real change in the world. It is about understanding how nature works and using that knowledge to make a positive impact on the world.“

– Tirumalasetty

Their technology can potentially shrink long colliders into a chip and allow scientists to see activity like never before.

The university has already applied for and obtained provisional patents on the technology, both in the US and internationally.

The practical, real-world applications of the technology, however, will take years to realize. 

As a matter of fact, some of technology’s foundational work began seven years ago in 2018, when Sahai published his research on antimatter accelerators. He said:

“It’s going to take a while, but within my lifetime, it is very probable.”

Having said that, it has great potential in helping us better understand the way the universe works at its fundamental scale and thus improve lives. As Sahai noted, this could also make gamma-ray lasers a reality.

“We could get imaging of tissue down to not just the nucleus of cells but down to the nucleus of the underlying atoms. That means scientists and doctors would be able to see what’s going on at the nuclear level, and that could accelerate our understanding of immense forces that dominate at such small scales while also leading to better medical treatments and cures,” he explained. “Eventually, we could develop gamma ray lasers to modify the nucleus and remove cancer cells at the nano level.”

The ‘extreme plasmons’ technique, which is also the title of the study, can also help us test the possibility of a multiverse.

The work on the tiny chip isn’t done, though. Both Sahi and Tirumalasetty will now focus on refining the silicon-chip material and laser technique at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a world-class facility operated by Stanford University and funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), where the technology was tested.

Simulating the Quantum Vacuum with Ultra-Powerful Lasers

So, as we saw, from the cosmos to the lab, our understanding of the most extreme light in the universe is rapidly evolving. 

We’ve captured gamma ray bursts from distant pulsars, witnessed supermassive black holes flare in high-energy glory, and even recorded the lightning-like collisions that produce terrestrial gamma flashes. Now, we are learning to recreate similar conditions here on Earth. 

A couple of months ago, physicists at the University of Oxford simulated how intense laser beams can generate light where there was none, turning a theoretical concept into a reality. 

What the physicists have managed to do is they were able to create, for the very first time, 3D simulations of just how intense laser beams can affect and change the quantum vacuum.

Published in Communications Physics, the study⁴ details using advanced computational modelling to simulate just how powerful lasers interact with the quantum vacuum, revealing in the process how photons bounce off each other and produce new beams of light.

The simulations recreated vacuum four-wave mixing (FWM), a phenomenon predicted by quantum physics which states that the combined electromagnetic field of three focused laser pulses can polarise a vacuum’s virtual electron-positron pairs, producing a new laser beam in what’s called the ‘light from darkness’ process. 

“This is not just an academic curiosity – it is a major step toward experimental confirmation of quantum effects that until now have been mostly theoretical.”

– Study co-author Peter Norreys, a professor at the University of Oxford

The simulations were run using an advanced version of a simulation software (OSIRIS), which models laser beams’ interaction with plasma or matter.

“Our computer program gives us a time-resolved, 3D window into quantum vacuum interactions that were previously out of reach. By applying our model to a three-beam scattering experiment, we were able to capture the full range of quantum signatures, along with detailed insights into the interaction region and key time scales.”

– Zixin (Lily) Zhang, the study’s lead author & a doctoral student at Oxford’s Department of Physics

These models are used by researchers to design real-world experiments, such as laser shapes and pulse timings. Moreover, the simulations can provide novel insights into how even small asymmetries in beam geometry can change the outcome and how interactions progress in real-time.

Besides helping plan future high-energy laser experiments, the team believes the tool can also help search for signs of hypothetical sub-atomic particles like axions, a leading candidate for dark matter.

“A wide range of planned experiments at the most advanced laser facilities will be greatly assisted by our new computational method implemented in OSIRIS,” said study co-author Luis Silva, a Professor at the Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon. “The combination of ultra-intense lasers, state-of-the-art detection, cutting-edge analytical and numerical modelling are the foundations for a new era in laser-matter interactions, which will open new horizons for fundamental physics.”

Investing in Laser Tech

Given that a gamma-ray laser has not yet been realized, we’ll be looking into the investment potential of a company engaged in general laser technology. 

L3Harris Technologies (LHX -0.11%) is a major player in advanced photonics and high-energy laser systems for defense and aerospace. The company produces a variety of laser systems, which are known for their compact size and high performance. 

With a market capitalization of $50.7 billion, LHX shares are currently trading at $272.31, up 29% YTD. Just earlier this month, the company’s shares made a new high at $280.52, up more than 45% since the April low. With that, its EPS (TTM) is 8.96, and the P/E (TTM) is 30.27.

LHX shareholders can enjoy a dividend yield of 1.77%.

When it comes to the company’s financials, L3Harris Technologies reported a revenue of $5.4 billion and orders of $8.3 billion for Q2 2025. The company’s operating margin was 10.5% and the adjusted segment operating margin was 15.9%. Diluted EPS, meanwhile, came in at $2.44, while a 16% increase in non-GAAP diluted EPS put it at $2.78.

“We delivered impressive second-quarter results, led by a record book-to-bill of 1.5x, solid organic growth, and year-over-year adjusted segment operating margin expansion for the seventh consecutive quarter,” said CEO Christopher E. Kubasik. “This marks a clear inflection point, with our strongest top-line growth in six quarters and meaningful progress towards our 2026 Financial Framework.”

Kubasik also noted of defense “entering a generational investment cycle, as U.S. and allied budgets grow rapidly,” and against this “accelerating” demand, the company’s portfolio is aligned with key growth areas to achieve “sustained profitable growth and long-term value creation.”

Latest L3Harris Technologies (LHX) Stock News and Developments

Conclusion

Scientists and engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of light and matter. Such advancements are now even allowing gamma-ray lasers to move from just a theory toward transformative technology. Harnessing this extreme form of light can not only help redefine physics but also reshape medicine, energy, and our understanding of the universe itself!

Click here for a list of top quantum computing companies.

References:

1. Wada, Y., Morimoto, T., Wu, T., Wang, D., Kikuchi, H., Nakamura, Y., Yoshikawa, E., Ushio, T., & Tsuchiya, H. Downward terrestrial gamma-ray flash associated with collision of lightning leaders. Science Advances, 11(21), eads6906, published 21 May 2025. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads6906
2. Katsarov, Y. A new approach to developing gamma-ray laser. Environment. Technology. Resources. Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference, 4, 467–474, published 2025. https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2025vol4.8388
3. Sahai, A. A. Extreme plasmons. Advanced Quantum Technologies, published 19 May 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/qute.202500037
4. Zhang, Z., Aboushelbaya, R., Ouatu, I., et al. Computational modelling of the semi-classical quantum vacuum in 3D. Communications Physics, 8, 224, published 5 June 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42005-025-02128-8