The cultivation by Chinese scientists of a record-breaking barium selenogallate crystal (BGSe) has become an example of how government support for science leads to technological breakthroughs. About this Pravda.Stated chemist, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Artem Oganov.

He noted that in Russia refused a similar technology, considering it unnecessary. Earlier, the South China Morning Post reported that Chinese scientists have grown a record-sized crystal of barium selenogallate (BGSe) with a diameter of 60 mm. It is specified that it can be used to create a powerful laser weapon to destroy satellites from the earth’s surface.

The authors of the publication drew attention to the fact that the achievement occurred against the background of the intensification of the Chinese program for the development of directional weapons, as well as the growing concern of the Chinese military about the activities of Starlink satellites in the context of the conflict on Ukraine.

“BGSe is a very interesting nonlinear optical material discovered in 2010 by Chinese scientists. Its remarkable properties have been known for a long time, but for practical use it was necessary to learn how to grow its large crystals of high quality. Now this task has been solved, and there will be a lot of applications for this material, and not only military ones,” Oganov said.

The scientist called the situation instructive, as it showed how quickly government support for science is bearing fruit.

“Now China already has a huge number of its own unique technological developments. In this story, Chinese scientists have gone all the way from the discovery of a new material to the creation of new devices. Secondly, I remember how at one of the leading Russian universities, on the orders of the leadership, the laboratory for crystal growth was liquidated with the explanation that no one needed or was interested in it. Expensive installations for the growth of crystals from the melt (the same method used by Chinese scientists), along with platinum crucibles, were taken to the trash,” Oganov added.