Most powerful laser pulse in history is fired in US nuclear fusion plant, as scientists bid to harness power of the H-Bomb

• 'Shaped pulse' of energy generated 411 trillion watts of peak power
• 1,000 times more than the whole United States uses at any given moment
• Array of 192 lasers aims for 'laser fusion' - a 'Holy Grail' of clean energy
• Facility aims to ignite controleld version of reaction found in heart of stars, and in hydrogen bombs

By Rob Waugh

PUBLISHED: 14:54 GMT, 22 March 2012 | UPDATED: 15:30 GMT, 22 March 2012

The most energetic laser shot in mankind's history was fired at the stadium-sized National Ignition Facility in California this month.

On March 15, an array of 192 lasers fired a shaped pulse of energy that generated 411 trillion watts of peak power - 1,000 times more than whole of the United States uses at any one moment.

The pulse is a historic moment for the 'fusion' facility, which aims to generate power using a nuclear fusion reaction - similar to what happens in hydrogen bombs.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2118748/Most-powerfu...