An experiment conducted in Switzerland proved this possibility.

A new study has shown that pointing a laser beam into the sky can prevent lightning strikes.

As Science Alert reports, an experiment on the removal of lightning was conducted in Switzerland on top of a mountain where there is a huge metal telecommunications tower.

At the moment, our best protection against lightning strikes is the Franklin rod, which is nothing more than a metal spire invented back in the 18th century. Physicists from Paris decided to test a new method of protecting critical infrastructure from lightning.

“Although this field of research has been very active for over 20 years, this is the first field result to experimentally demonstrate laser-driven lightning,” the researchers write.

Short, intense laser pulses were directed at clouds during a thunderstorm and successfully deflected four lightning bolts. Another 12 lightning strikes hit the tower during those periods when the laser was down.

How does it work?

As the researchers explained, the upward-directed laser changes the refractive properties of air, causing the laser pulse to compress and intensify until it begins to ionize air molecules.

Air molecules are rapidly heated along the path of the laser, absorbing its energy, and are ejected at supersonic speed. This leaves behind “long-lived” channels of less dense air that provide a path for electrical discharges.

“This work paves the way for new applications of ultrashort lasers and is an important step forward in the development of laser lightning protection for airports and large infrastructure facilities,” the scientists say.