The ELI Event B007R5LTNS

those days, magnetically focused beams operated in only one wavelength, and most still do. The process of dynamically shifting the wavelength of a beam is called tuning, and has for years been a major problem in the technology. In the years since, a variety of increasingly powerful and efficient beams has been developed. Yet, until recently, tunability has been restricted to no more than a tiny fraction of the light spectrum. We now believe we have broken that barrier.
    “Our prototype device is called a free-electron particle beam. It operates by stripping the electrons from atoms and firing them into a particle accelerator, which increases their speed by a factor of ten. The accelerated electrons then pass through a powerful magnetic field, which makes them rapidly shift back and forth in their path, emitting various types of radiation, part of which is light in a specific wavelength. This light is peeled away from the carrier beam and amplified by repeated reflections in a series of mirrors until it reaches the necessary amplitude. Then, the ultra-tuned light is redirected through a special port, where it can be projected toward a given target.
    “But this basic approach has two major weaknesses. First, it is only tunable through about one percent of the spectrum. Second, the capturable light emitted when the electrons shift amounts to only about three percent of the radiation produced. The other ninety-seven percent is produced as x-rays and other unwanted forms, and is therefore useless.”
    Cardinale placed two fingers on his throbbing temple. He glanced at Representative Wise, wondering if she had any Advil in her purse.
    “While working on a solution to the radiation loss problem, we discovered a process which significantly increases the percentage of capturable radiation and at the same time improves tunability. We began with a standard Brown-Becker particle accelerator, and modified it so that it could do double duty, so to speak. After the electrons pass through the magnetic field and start to shift, we reinject them into the accelerator so that the amplification is accomplished in a closed electromagnetic loop rather than in an open optical loop.
    “As before, the amplified beam is then ported out and directed at a target. This increases the capturable radiation from three to seventy-eight percent. Further, it allows us to tune the beam toward the extreme infrared end of the spectrum. By so doing, the coherent light can be tailored to the specific molecular structure of the target, achieving maximum efficiency in destructive potential. In this way, a single strike anywhere on a target initiates a chain reaction to the rest of the target, effecting complete destruction.”
    Holt was simultaneously impressed and disturbed. He knew Pettis had a technical background, but had no idea that he commanded this depth of knowledge. This lecture was clearly not from rote; Pettis obviously understood every word he was saying. Even at yesterday’s test, he had not displayed this level of technical acumen; now, he sounded like someone who had worked with the technology his whole life.
    “Nevertheless,” Pettis continued, “the particle beam itself is only half the problem. The other half is the power required to drive it, and that’s where the power source enters the picture. Nuclear power, of course, comes immediately to mind, but is inherently unstable, unwieldy, and unmaintainable—at least in a satellite-based apparatus. The clear choice for space-based power, then, is solar energy.”
    Again Holt examined each face in turn. The woman was attentive but indifferent; the young man interested but over his head. Cardinale’s face revealed only that he understood little of what Pettis was saying, not whether he approved of it—a good soldier’s best poker face. Pettis pushed ahead.
    “Solar energy,” he repeated, “is the key to compact, portable, and flexible power. The Source uses this solar energy to drive the projector with great accuracy and efficiency. Together, the power source and the tuned beam form a device referred to as the Molecular Disruptor Array, or MDA. The MDA has produced very satisfying results, both in computer simulations and live trials. In fact, at our proving grounds in the Salt Lake Desert, we ran a quite successful test just yesterday.”
    “Test? Yesterday?” Representative Mitchell asked, now visibly interested.
    “What kind of test?” asked the woman. “With what