Science

Lightsaber-like plasma antenna uses laser-ionized air to transmit radio waves

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 05/10/2026, 17:25:25 UTC.

Briefings

Researchers successfully demonstrated a plasma antenna using laser-ionized air to transmit radio waves at 30 MHz VHF frequencies. The device operates by generating a plasma filament via a laser beam, which acts as an antenna to radiate signals. This achievement was published in the IEEE Journal of Microwaves on October 5, 2026, marking a significant step in wireless communication technology.

Key points

• A laser beam ionizes air to create a plasma filament antenna that transmits radio waves at 30 MHz VHF frequencies.
• The technology was published in the IEEE Journal of Microwaves on October 5, 2026, confirming the experimental success of the plasma-based transmission method.

Context and limitations

The study covers only VHF frequencies; the device's performance at other bands remains untested, and long-term reliability under varying environmental conditions has not been evaluated.

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