%0 Journal Article
%T Fundamental Concepts behind the Development of Gamma-Ray,  Directed Energy Sources
%A Eugene Oks
%J Open Journal of Microphysics
%P 27-35
%@ 2162-2469
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojm.2023.133003
%X We discuss novel advanced concepts suitable for the practical design of gamma-ray sources of directed energy. One concept is based on the self-channeling of a powerful optical laser in a gas within a metal tube. Another concept employs a direct excitation of a quadrupole nuclear level by a powerful optical laser. The third concept is based on the process of a high-order harmonic generation by an x-ray laser. All three concepts can be used for designing gamma-ray lasers that would have significant advantages over x-ray lasers. First, missile defense systems employing gamma-ray lasers would be weather independent. Second, the gamma-ray laser radiation can penetrate through the sand, which could be suspended in the air in a desert either naturally (due to strong winds) or artificially (as a protective ˇ°shieldˇ±). Besides, the first out of the three concepts can beemployed for creating non-laser gamma-ray sources of directed energy to be used for detecting stored radioactive materials, including the radioactive materials carried by an aircraft or a satellite. Last but not least: these concepts can be also used for remotely destroying biological and chemical weapons as a preemptive strike or during its delivery phase, as well as for distinguishing a nuclear warhead from decoy warheads. Thus, the defense capabilities of the proposed gamma-ray lasers can save numerous lives.
%K Gamma-Ray Lasers
%K Directed Energy Sources
%K Self-Channeling
%K Quadrupole Nuclear Levels
%K High-Order Harmonic Generation
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=126272