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Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
China is making significant advancements in technology, with many innovations aimed at the civilian sector. However, some developments are enhancing its military and intelligence power. An example of this is an experimental system that has the potential to analyze objects from miles away, marking a substantial improvement in espionage capabilities.
According to the South China Morning Post, a Chinese Academy of Sciences team successfully conducted observations using an innovative laser system. This system operates at optical wavelengths and can capture images over vast distances, provided specific conditions are met.
A New Observation System
Researchers deployed an advanced observation system on one shore of Qinghai Lake, a vast alpine lake located in remote Northwest China. On the opposite shore, 64 miles away, they installed an array of reflective devices. Impressively, despite the considerable distance, the system was able to distinguish details as small as 0.07 inches.
The key to this technology is its laser functionality, which measures distances accurately to 0.6 inches. This level of precision outperforms traditional spy cameras and telescopes by a factor of 100. However, researchers need to conduct observations under optimal weather conditions. Stable winds, low cloud cover, and clear skies are essential for the best results.
Although the team conducted the initial tests on the ground, a Hong Kong newspaper suggests that this technology could also be applied for espionage purposes from space. Its unprecedented ability to capture detailed images could allow for the identification of faces from orbit. It could also enable analysts to scrutinize the satellites of rival countries with remarkable precision from the Earth’s surface.
Researchers used a combination of innovative techniques to achieve these advancements. First, they divided the laser beam using a 4x4 microlens array, increasing the system’s optical aperture from 0.68 inches to 2.71 inches. This approach allowed the team to overcome the typical trade-off between aperture size and field of view.
Additionally, scientists integrated a specialized laser module that can emit signals at frequencies exceeding 10 GHz. This technological enhancement resulted in extremely fine range resolution, allowing for highly accurate distance measurements. Simultaneously, they maintained a narrow color spectrum to improve azimuth resolution, optimizing the detection of detailed features.
Images | Tobias Tullius | Chinese Academy of Sciences
Related | The U.S. Has Another Problem: China Prepares to Lead in Chip Manufacturing for Advanced Weapons
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