Could laser-induced plasma 'lightsaber' antennas enable contactless, reconfigurable VHF communications in air?

A more cautious reading treats the result as antenna physics rather than an emerging communications product. Plasma conductivity, lifetime, radiation efficiency, laser energy demands, coupling losses, atmospheric conditions, and the absence of a demonstrated receiver or field link could make the approach impractical compared with conventional antennas.

• A specialist assessment characterizes plasma antennas as predominantly laboratory and defense-research technology, with no documented fielded operational system.
• Earlier modeling found severe efficiency-related limitations even while identifying wideband potential, so tunability does not establish useful radiated-power efficiency.
• A short-lived plasma channel may require continuous or repeated high-power laser operation, creating a systems-level energy and complexity penalty not captured by the transmission demonstration.
• The reported 5-centimeter receiver separation and unobstructed near-field arrangement do not establish long-range or general-purpose VHF communication.
• Claims that the antenna could receive, steer, or replace conventional antennas remain projections until two-way links and practical operating conditions are demonstrated.

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