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Scientists Capture Shockwaves in Water Jet for Fusion Advances

1/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A team of scientists captured a high-definition movie of shockwaves in a microscopic water jet using multi-messenger imaging.
Imaging shows material compression in picosecond steps and a water vapor layer cushioning shockwaves.
The experiment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) used a flowing water jet for data collection.
The approach could enhance diagnostics in large-scale fusion facilities and advance the quest to replicate the sun's power on Earth.

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Story summary

A team of scientists captured a high-definition movie of shockwaves in a microscopic water jet using multi-messenger imaging.
Imaging shows material compression in picosecond steps and a water vapor layer cushioning shockwaves.
The experiment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) used a flowing water jet for data collection.
The approach could enhance diagnostics in large-scale fusion facilities and advance the quest to replicate the sun's power on Earth.