New Laser Record

The American Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has broken the world power-record for lasers. The pulsating laser has an average power of 67 kW. They hope to develop a 100 kW prototype this year.
"In our 25kW configuration and our 2.5 sq cm spot size on a one-inch thick steel target, we blow a hole through it in seven seconds."

Stages in the penetration of an aluminium target by the Solid State Heat Capacity Laser (SSHCL). The time between frames is 167 milliseconds. (Image: Bob Yamamoto/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory)