A laser or a laser beam, was a beam of coherent light operating under similar principles as blaster weaponry. Like blaster bolts, laser beams were considered particle beams, but unlike blaster bolts which were formed from ions of gas, laser beams consisted of particles of light known as photons, which moved at the speed of light. Lasers could be fired as continuous beams or pulsed bolts.[source?]
Laser beams were created by using light or electricity to energize a certain crystal or gas, that would induce high-intensity light when stimulated with energy. This said light could then be focused to form a laser beam. The created beam could be fired as a continuous beam or a series of pulsed bolts or both, dictated by the weapon in question. Depending on the hardness and density of the target's surface and the intensity of these beams, the resulting impact could melt through targets and even disintegrate objects.[1]
The type of crystal or gas used to create the laser dictated the beams' color and qualities. The most common color was red because of its cheaper tibanna gas from Bespin. Green beams were produced from a higher-quality gas, thus costing more. Blue beams used ion-based charges for more effectiveness against electronic and mechanical targets, such as droids. Orange beams were low powered and used more in training.[2]
Throughout the galaxy, lasers were most often employed in the form of laser cannons.[3] Another laser weapon was the DLT-18 laser rifle.[4] The primary weapon of the Death Star was an exceedingly powerful superlaser capable of obliterating an entire planet.[5] A superlaser was also employed on its successor.[6]
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Notes and references[]
- ↑ Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Incredible Cross-Sections
- ↑ Star Wars Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels: The Visual Guide
- ↑ IG-RM Thug Droids in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Grand Moff Tarkin in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ * Death Star in the Encyclopedia (content now obsolete; backup link)