Laser rifle

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A laser rifle is a form of directed energy weapon that uses lasers, beams of photons of equal wavelength and direction, to direct energy and inflict damage on a target. They are considered not as effective in terms of how much damage they are capable of, but are otherwise the cheapest form of ranged weaponry in the galaxy.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

The operation of a weaponised laser is similar to a typical laser pointer, albeit more powerful. A gain medium, usually a gas is stored in a container with mirrors, with the exception of one opening which is only semi-reflective. By stimulating atoms within the gain medium, coherent photons are emitted and shine out through the semi-reflective opening in the container.

As the demand for more and more powerful lasers progressed, the use of lenses became popular as they could allow a large volume of gas to be used for creating a powerful, concentrated laser beam.

History[edit | edit source]

The idea of weaponising lasers was first conceived by Terrans as early as the mid 20th century. Lasers have been built since the 1950s for Terrans, but was only later in the 21st century when the technology existed to allow the weaponisation of lasers, initially used to shoot down incoming missiles. Lasers then were mostly invisible due to the wavelength they used, and their actual capable power.

In the late 21st century, power storage technology was dense enough to allow rudimentary laser smallarms to be used in service, though their use was only limited to long range engagement when the typically more effective and versatile kinetic weapons of the time were too inaccurate to hit.

By the mid 22nd century, however, energy storage was effective enough to allow the widespread adoption of laser smallarms and spacecraft-mounted weaponry.