I’ve operated one of America’s most powerful lasers—here’s what a typical shooting day entails.

Overview of the Texas Petawatt Laser: The Texas Petawatt Laser, located at the University of Texas at Austin, is a powerful laser system housed in a large building, with significant research capabilities that are currently underutilized due to funding cuts.

Research Center Closure: The Texas Petawatt Laser facility is currently closed, impacting researchers who rely on its specialized equipment for high-energy laser experiments.

Laser Technology Description: This type of laser operates by emitting tiny pulses of light that can generate immense power, surpassing the total output of the entire U.S. electrical grid in brief moments.

Scientific Applications: The laser's technology is designed to create stars in a vacuum chamber, showcasing its potential for groundbreaking research in physics and energy.