UNIVERSITY scientists have developed a system which could help astronomers find Earth-like planets – and it is powered by a laser similar to those sold in shops for a few pounds.
Researchers at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University have produced a device powered by a green laser similar to laser pointers sold for less than £5. But it emits light at one billion pulses a second, helping to produce what is known as a frequency comb.
Professor Derryck Reid, head of the ultrafast optics group at Heriot-Watt, said the laser has huge potential to enable astronomers to detect small Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars.
