The road to building a real lightsaber is full of shades of grey. While we make advancements that give us ‘A new hope’. Most inventions are met with challenges. These are currently out of the technical capabilities of scientists and advanced technology alike.
However, as more heads join together to give solid form to the fictional Star Wars lightsabers. There is a hope that we might achieve a real plasma blade sooner.
Cell phones, robots, and AI were once an imagination. Now they are an essential part of our life. The mechanics of bringing these ideas to reality have taken quite a long time. However, now we can use the electromagnetic principle to bring the lightsabers from screens to our hands.
A sizzling blade radiating a luminous glow will soon be gracing the hands of eager galactic fans. Lightsaber experts are stretched between building a plasma blade or a laser beam blade. Work is constantly being done on both ideas, whichever gives us a positive and practical response. There are impossible challenges to both aspects.
Ideas under Consideration
Although Star Wars gadgets are more fantasy than science fiction. Scientists are trying to make sense of the complex weaponry world. You have to look at the source to create a pragmatic version of it.
Dark Holes
For example, the Star Wars superweapon, Death Star is a great start. It is similar to the performance of dark holes in the real world galaxy. Dark holes can absorb light easily. Similarly, they have no problem in deflecting the damage of a laser beam. However, due to their absorbent nature, the dark holes cannot emit light and radiation. Minimizing the dark hole to a coin size is not possible for now.
Electromagnetics
The research on electromagnetic study is endless. Because of satellites, trains, and TVs, we are already a step closer to understanding the workings and limitations of electromagnetism. A beam of light can be bent using electromagnetic radiation creating a concentrated form of light. Yet the light will not have adequate energy to melt glass and steel. Incorporating energy into a concentrated small beam is quite a herculean task.
Plasma Light
Instead of a strong and compact laser beam. Let’s consider the plasma blades for a second. The majestic Star Wars lightsaber blade is also a plasma blade. There could be a hint in it.
We can make our real lightsaber hilts a small fusion ion chamber. The plasma ejected in the form of a blade will be manipulated by magnetic fields radiating through the electromagnetic supercoils. The ionized gas could be manipulated to light up like in Star Wars. Additionally, with the use of AC magnets, and electron gun the direction of the plasma ejection can be controlled.
However, this idea has yet to find practical grounds. Lightsaber fanatics want the real sabers experience. Including the deadly blade.
Using the hilt as an ionized fusion chamber has its limitations. The sound, length of the blade, and the interactive laser properties are unpredictable.
Photon Emission
Photons are an advanced source of electromagnetic radiation. They emit bursts of electromagnetic radiation that can control the thickness and length of the laser blade.
However, photons have no mass and also do not possess a charge. It is not sure if one photonic beam will react with another beam or if it will pass right through it.
Modifications in the beam can take us one step closer to our goals. Scientists from NIST have declared the possibility of giving hope to the disappointed fans. Work on power supply and temperature control is required. Secondly, fitting everything inside a flashlight sized hilt requires research from scratch.
What Now?
There is no confirmation on how long it might take for a safe yet fire blade to reach us.
That does not mean there is no hope for us Galaxy fans. We fans always find a way to enjoy our rebel moments. RGB LED lightsabers are a great bet. A durable RGB lightsaber is a fan’s choice for dueling.
For a more realistic experience, you can try advanced Neopixel, Xenopixel, and Proffie pixel lightsabers. The customization options are endless. They are the closest you get to feeling a real lightsaber. Once you have played with the amazing options and zing of the blade. There is no getting enough of it.
Conclusion
Theoretical solutions are on the rise and more small businesses are accepting the challenge of creating a realistic plasma blade. The Star Wars space opera has us all in turmoil. For lightsaber fanatics, there is no resting until a metal scorching blade is formed.
Practical challenges are keeping us from creating a real and elegant blade. Yet scientists are determined to barreling through the obstacles. Maybe one day technology giants will finally bless us with a mind blowing lightsaber reality. Till then let’s make the most out of the current technology and duels on big screens.
