US Physicists create curved lasers...

[Vekseid]

...and all they can think of is using them as lightning rods.

...

The intensity profile of a normal laser beam is symmetrical around a central intense region, but the mask and lens are specially designed to impose an unusual asymmetric intensity profile, creating a so-called Airy beam. On the right-hand side of the Airy beam there is one intense bright region, and there is a series of smaller, less intense regions to the left (see image).

As the pulse moves away from the lens, energy flows between the different intensity regions. Because of the underlying asymmetry, the beam bends around 5 millimetres to the right over its 60-centimetre measured length. That's not enough to send the beams around sharp corners, but they could be guided around objects, such as cells, in microscopic applications.

...

Not exactly a sharp curve, but it's one of those "WTF, cool!" moments.

[The Overlord]

That is cool, but give it time; that's the sort of innovation that will get multiple applications.

[Inkidu]

And we still don't have lightsabers? Science's priorities are so off. <.<

[Rhapsody]

...and all they can think of is using them as lightning rods.

I'm inclined to think they've certainly thought of more things to do with curved lasers, but they don't want to panic the public with their mad plans for world domination.

[Inkidu]

Just think the Death Star could have shot around Yavin 4 and hit the moon with no problem!

[Sabby]

so now round rooms can be illuminated... hurray for science.

[Ordell]

It's actually a pretty cool thing and a huge advancement in potential medical use in the future.  Who knows, that small curve may just make something potentially unreachable, reachable now.

[Mnemaxa]

As a matter of fact, they already have used it in tests to fire a laser around 'cells' to strike cells behind the obscuring cells.  They could treat injuries, possibly even cancer cells inside muscles, lymph nodes, and other problems obscured by healthy tissue without cutting or damaging healthy tissue to get at the bad.

[Rhapsody]

That would be an awesome step in treating a lot of diseases and conditions.  My grandmother died of cancer a few years ago; I'm all for anything that helps make the disease more of a curable illness than a life-threatening concern.

[Merlyn]

Heck forget the lightsabers, maybe they can make the light whips soon.