Engineers at the California Institute of Technology have tested a microscopic model of a “light sail,” a technology that could revolutionize interstellar travel. This new device, slightly larger than a dust particle, will allow researchers to study its behavior in space and assess the feasibility of the concept.
A key feature of the design is its suspension on silicon springs, enabling precise measurement of the material’s response to laser radiation. During vacuum chamber experiments, an interferometer system detected minuscule membrane oscillations with accuracy down to trillionths of a meter.
Researchers tested membrane behavior at different laser incidence angles, and even under imperfect lighting conditions, the material demonstrated stable performance. These findings will help refine the technology needed for the Breakthrough Starshot initiative.
This mission envisions using ground-based laser arrays to accelerate light sails to record speeds, propelling miniature probes toward nearby stars, such as Proxima Centauri.
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