It is reported that a new laser technology has made it possible to turn light into sound.Developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the technology has the potential to expand and enhance underwater sound applications for both naval and commercial use, including underwater communications, navigation, and sound simulation. Laser pulse compression makes this technology possible. Lasers of different colors move at different speeds in the water. These colors can be manipulated as the laser pulses move through the water so that the laser pulses can be compressed in time, which allows the light to be concentrated.

To turn light into sound, light pulses are compressed to ionize small amounts of water. The ionized water then absorbs the laser energy and heats it up. As a result, a small amount of water vapor explosion can produce 220 decibels of sound.

Laser pulses can move in air or water, but the compression effect is much greater when moving in water than in air. Lasers can travel hundreds of meters in the air and are instantly compressed as soon as they enter the water, making it possible for aircrafts to signal underwater.