From: k_meinhard@gmx.de   
      
   Hallo Wolffan,   
   >> Not counting Star-Trek-like "shields", a simple mirror could   
   >> deflect 99.9% of the laser energy   
   >   
   > no, it won’t. For one thing, mirrors which work against visible   
   > light won’t do diddly against ultraviolet.   
      
   When speaking about imaginary weaponry like uv lasers with 10 cm   
   aperture and a real punch, we can postulate a mirror who can deflect   
   that particular (range of) wavelength. And I believe your enemy knows   
   the wavelength of your laser weaponry.   
      
   > For another, contrary to popular belief, military lasers are systems   
   > for delivering a lot of energy into a small point on a distant   
   > target. A mirror would simply heat up... or, rather, a very small   
   > part of a mirror would simply heat up. Very, very, very quickly.   
      
   Even if so, this creates a ablative effect which helps cooling and a   
   chaotic plasma which disperses the laser beam similar to the principle   
   used by the exploding plates against penetration shells on tanks.   
      
   Lasers work (possibly) against the very thin rocket hulls of today,   
   which are thin to reduce weight, and have no capabilty to maneuver.  A   
   few centimeters of steel skin (with diamonds :-)) and an errratic course   
   change would make a laser a poor choice of weapon.   
      
   But maybe I'm wrong. I remember a sf novel in which atom bombs (fission,   
   fusion?) were used as laser pumping devices which lead to truly   
   devastating, epic results. Can anybody remember the name/author?   
      
      
   --   
   Mit freundlichen Grüßen,   
      
   Klaus Meinhard   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)