Can an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile bedestroyed by an intense laser beam? A beam of intensity108 W/m2 would probably burn into and destroy a nonspinningmissile in 1 s. (a) If the laser had 5.0 MW power, 3.0 mm wavelength,and a 4.0 m beam diameter (a very powerful laser indeed),would it destroy a missile at a distance of 3000 km? (b) If thewavelength could be changed, what maximum value would work?Use the equation for the central diffraction maximum as given byEq. 36-12 (sin u = 1.22l/d).

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
5th Edition
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter28: Quantum Physics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 35P
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Can an incoming intercontinental ballistic missile be
destroyed by an intense laser beam? A beam of intensity
108 W/m2 would probably burn into and destroy a nonspinning
missile in 1 s. (a) If the laser had 5.0 MW power, 3.0 mm wavelength,
and a 4.0 m beam diameter (a very powerful laser indeed),
would it destroy a missile at a distance of 3000 km? (b) If the
wavelength could be changed, what maximum value would work?
Use the equation for the central diffraction maximum as given by
Eq. 36-12 (sin u = 1.22l/d).

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