Crystals and Their Applications in Global Military Defense Systems

Chinese scientists have unveiled the world’s largest barium gallium selenide (BGSe) crystal, measuring about 60 mm (2.3 in) in diameter—establishing a new benchmark for laser-grade materials.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, this synthetic crystal can withstand laser energy densities up to 550 megawatts per square centimeter, which is around ten times more than earlier military-grade options. (Source)

This material allows short-wave infrared lasers to be converted into mid- and far-infrared beams, which travel longer distances through Earth’s atmosphere with less interference—an ideal trait for strategic laser applications. (Source) 

Military analysts are raising concerns that these BGSe crystals could be integrated into anti-satellite laser systems—potentially blinding or damaging satellite optics from the ground. U.S. defense agencies anticipate operational deployment by the late 2020s.

Some Chinese publications describe the project in near-sci-fi terms, likening it to a “Death Star” capable of targeting satellites or suppressing GPS systems with microwave bursts. (Source)

Additionally, researchers have proposed submarine-mounted laser systems, which would deploy retractable masts to shoot beams from beneath the ocean—an innovation aimed specifically at disrupting Starlink satellite arrays.

Earlier space policy commentary warned that China’s ground-based lasers are already capable of degrading low-orbit satellites and sensitive imaging payloads.

While BGSe crystals may also serve civilian purposes, such as thermal tracking and advanced medical imaging, experts caution that their military use represents a strategic turning point in space-based warfare. (Source)