What is Plasma window?
A '''Plasma window''' is a field of [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]] that fills an area of [[Space (physics)|space]]. It is similar to a [[force field (technology)|force field]]. The area is created by using [[magnetism]] to hold the plasma in place. With current [[technology]], this area of space is quite small. It is in the shape of a [[flat]] [[Plane (mathematics)|planes]] inside a [[cylinder]]. As plasma increases in [[temperature]], it becomes thicker. At a high enough temperature, plasma is thick enough to separate a [[vacuum]] from normal [[atmosphere]]. Plasma does not stop [[radiation]], such as [[laser]]s, from moving through it. Because of this, [[scientist]]s can use a plasma window to create an area of vacuum while still letting radiation to move through it. This is needed because certain types of radiation can only be created in a vacuum, but scientists need to use the radiation on things that are found in a normal atmosphere. == History == The Plasma Window was created at [[Brookhaven National Laboratory]] by [[Ady Hershcovitch]]. It was [[patent]]ed in 1995. Other creations using the same idea as the plasma window include the Plasma Valve. == Plasma Valve == The Plasma Valve is related to a plasma window. It was created a year after the plasma window. The plasma Valve is a layer of [[gas]] inside a special shell. A ring around the shell holds a vacuum. A breach in the ring can be very bad but technology lets scientists shut off the [[machine]] in time before anything happens. == Properties == A plasma window is usually created at temperatures of 15,000 [[kelvin]]. The only limit to the window's size is the amount of energy needed to create it. A window needs 20 [[watt|kW]] of energy for every inch in size. Plasma windows will glow in different colors depending on the gas used to create the plasma. == Other websites == *[http://www.nasatech.com/Briefs/May98/0598ETB1.html Official article by Ady Hershcovitch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061222022750/http://www.nasatech.com/Brief