Gas Dynamic Lasers Just Hot Air?

[athelind]

A week ago, I posted a link to a PDF hosted at Defense Review that describes a design for a man-portable, polonium-powered Gas Dynamic Laser.

Alas, it would seem to be a hoax..

The physics seems sound, however: gas-dynamic lasers that use adiabatic cooling to create population inversions have been built.

Comments

[cargoweasel.livejournal.com]

Years ago I remember seeing an explanation in like Starlog for why laser cannons in Star Wars recoil when firing, and whoever it was explaining it said it was the barrel sliding back to vent the gases. :)