Nov 25, 2023 21:00:00

Research shows a theory of ``transferring power from star to star'' using gravitational lenses

Slava G. Turishev, a researcher in the Space Structure Research Group at NASA's

Jet Propulsion Laboratory , has published a paper online called ``Gravitational Lenses for Interstellar Power Transfer,'' which transmits power up to several light years away. It was published in According to Mr. Turishev, although a comprehensive analysis of the theory presented in the paper has not yet been carried out, it is considered a feasible theory given the current scientific level.

(PDF file) Gravitational lensing for interstellar power transmission
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2310.17578.pdf

Civilizations Could Use Gravitational Lenses to Transmit Power From Star to Star - Universe Today
https://www.universetoday.com/163994/civilizations-could-use-gravitational-lenses-to-transmit-power-from-star-to-star/

Light emitted by stars and galaxies is bent according to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity as it passes through space-time that is distorted by the gravitational field of the celestial bodies it is traveling through. At this time, the light bends in the same way as when it passes through an optical lens, so the image it receives may appear arched and distorted , or a smaller image further away may be magnified. It has the same effect as a lens. This is called the `` gravitational lensing effect ,'' and in the past it has been possible to observe a ``stray black hole,'' which is difficult to observe because there are no celestial bodies around it, 5,150 light years away, and a black hole in a galaxy 2.7 billion light years away. Research results have been shown that have been discovered.

A supermassive black hole with a mass of more than 30 billion suns is discovered at the center of a galaxy 2.7 billion light years away - GIGAZINE

Some researchers are working on using the sun as a solar gravitational lens (SGL) to apply it to astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial life.In the past, gravitational lenses have been used to magnify radio signals. Papers on building an 'interstellar network' have also been published. In a paper published in November 2023, Turishev proposed a theory of using stellar gravitational lenses to transfer power from star to star. The paper has been published online and is being reviewed for publication in Physical Review , a scientific journal published by the American Physical Society.

The paper explores how to use a star's gravitational focus to concentrate energy and transmit power in the form of a beam to other star systems. By building the same equipment used for interplanetary communications but scaled to the size of the transmitted beam, Turishev said a pair of stellar gravitational lenses could transmit not only images of light but also energy at interstellar distances. There is a possibility that it can be done.

The research uses analytical tools from previous research on SGLs to consider how the transmitted light and energy is amplified. Speaking to Universe Today, which covers space and astronomy topics, Turishev said: ``For a long time I avoided the topic of SGL's transfer capabilities because analytical tools for studying power transfer were not developed. 'There is ongoing research on many relevant and important topics that led to this study,' he said in an email.

The study began by revisiting how light is amplified and transmitted in systems of gravitational lenses, using analytical tools from previous work on SGLs. Next, we constructed a scenario in which the same method was applied to a laser output device placed in free space, and applied the theory of gravitational lensing. In conclusion, a laser output device placed in the focal region of a gravitational lens would be able to amplify the power received by a receiver from several light years away, and if powered by a beam using SGL, it would be possible to communicate It is concluded that it is possible to supply electricity.

If gravitational lenses could be used to provide communications and power several light years away, it would be possible to carry out long-term interstellar exploration, as well as secure enough energy for terraforming. 'Although we have only demonstrated the feasibility, this is the first paper to address all topics in a non-speculative manner, focusing only on the physics involved. Many more topics need to be considered, such as misalignment due to the position of the lens, a pair of lenses, and the receiver, and the presence of moments that characterize the internal structure of the lens. 'It's a possible theory.'