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[[Image:Laser.jpg|thumb|Starfleet laser sidearm (2254)]] |
[[Image:Laser.jpg|thumb|Starfleet laser sidearm (2254)]] |
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[[Image:Laser cannon.jpg|thumb|Starfleet laser cannon (2254)]] |
[[Image:Laser cannon.jpg|thumb|Starfleet laser cannon (2254)]] |
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| − | '''Laser weapons''' are [[weapon]]s that utilize [[laser]]s, a directed light [[technology]] that compresses [[photon]] [[particle]]s into a beam that can have heat and blast effects. While many spacefaring [[lifeform]]s utilize lasers as [[optical data network]]s, few continuously use laser weapons |
+ | '''Laser weapons''' are [[weapon]]s that utilize [[laser]]s, a directed light [[technology]] that compresses [[photon]] [[particle]]s into a beam that can have heat and blast effects. While many spacefaring [[lifeform]]s utilize lasers as [[optical data network]]s, few continuously use laser weapons...since a variety of more exotic and powerful weapon effectiveness is achieved by using weapons that duplicate lasers in design, but utilize different [[subatomic particle]]s to create the beam. These variants include masers (directed microwaves) and xasers (directed x-rays; pronounced "zay-zers"). |
[[Starfleet]] crews used laser weapons in [[2254]], around the time [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|USS ''Enterprise'']] visited [[Talos IV]]. [[landing party|Landing parties]] carried [[laser pistol]]s, and the [[starship]] itself mounted larger [[laser cannon]]s. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) |
[[Starfleet]] crews used laser weapons in [[2254]], around the time [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|USS ''Enterprise'']] visited [[Talos IV]]. [[landing party|Landing parties]] carried [[laser pistol]]s, and the [[starship]] itself mounted larger [[laser cannon]]s. ({{TOS|The Cage}}) |
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[[Starfleet Regulations]] called for a [[Federation]] starship to go to [[yellow alert]] when targeted by laser weapons from another vessel, although [[24th century]] [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise''-D]] [[captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] thought the rule was outdated, since the laser cannons of an [[Altec]] [[Altec vessel|ship]] were incapable of penetrating his [[navigational deflector]]s. Picard also noted that they would run dry long before they would cause any sort of damage. ({{TNG|The Outrageous Okona}}) |
[[Starfleet Regulations]] called for a [[Federation]] starship to go to [[yellow alert]] when targeted by laser weapons from another vessel, although [[24th century]] [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D)|USS ''Enterprise''-D]] [[captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] thought the rule was outdated, since the laser cannons of an [[Altec]] [[Altec vessel|ship]] were incapable of penetrating his [[navigational deflector]]s. Picard also noted that they would run dry long before they would cause any sort of damage. ({{TNG|The Outrageous Okona}}) |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Revision as of 01:52, 9 August 2007
Starfleet laser sidearm (2254)
Starfleet laser cannon (2254)
Laser weapons are weapons that utilize lasers, a directed light technology that compresses photon particles into a beam that can have heat and blast effects. While many spacefaring lifeforms utilize lasers as optical data networks, few continuously use laser weapons...since a variety of more exotic and powerful weapon effectiveness is achieved by using weapons that duplicate lasers in design, but utilize different subatomic particles to create the beam. These variants include masers (directed microwaves) and xasers (directed x-rays; pronounced "zay-zers").
Starfleet crews used laser weapons in 2254, around the time USS Enterprise visited Talos IV. Landing parties carried laser pistols, and the starship itself mounted larger laser cannons. (TOS: "The Cage")
Starfleet Regulations called for a Federation starship to go to yellow alert when targeted by laser weapons from another vessel, although 24th century USS Enterprise-D captain Jean-Luc Picard thought the rule was outdated, since the laser cannons of an Altec ship were incapable of penetrating his navigational deflectors. Picard also noted that they would run dry long before they would cause any sort of damage. (TNG: "The Outrageous Okona")
Template:Laser Technology
Background
Hand-held weapon, circa 2265
Since the Earth Starfleet of the 22nd century utilized plasma and phase weapons, it seems odd that they would use a weapon like a laser that does not seem to have the phase pistol's non-lethal stun effect. One explanation could be that the 23rd century term "laser weapon" might mean something more complicated than the lasers we know of today. It is possible that this could be the shortened colloquial use of a more complicated technological name such as "phase laser," and these laser weapons represented a midpoint between the earlier phase pistol technology and the phaser of a decade later.
In reality, Gene Roddenberry changed the term "laser" to that of "phaser" after his science consultant advised that lasers could not do the things he wanted his fictional weapons to do. A similar problem with the known properties of lithium crystals forced the invention of the term dilithium crystals.