Nanoscale Lightsails for Space Exploration

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scale lightsail fabrication

Phys Org

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Science

Scalable nanotechnology-based lightsails developed for next-generation space exploration

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Researchers at TU Delft and Brown University have developed scalable nanotechnology-based lightsails that could support future advances in space exploration and experimental physics.

The proposed lightsails leverage laser-driven radiation pressure to accelerate to astonishing velocities, enabling rapid interplanetary travel.

The current prototype measures 60mm x 60mm and is 200 nanometers thick, covered in billions of nanosized holes.

More information: Lucas Norder et al , Pentagonal photonic crystal mirrors: scalable lightsails with enhanced acceleration via neural topology optimization, Nature Communications ( 2025 ). DOI: 10.1038 /s41467-025-57749-y Journal information: Nature Communications Provided by Delft University of Technology .

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