Star Wars lore depicts lightsabers as the weapon of choice for both Jedi and Sith warriors, capable of easily deflecting blaster bolts.
Lightsaber blades are created from kyber crystals found on various planets throughout the universe. These crystals have been attuned to the Force and transformed into powerful energy swords.
Power Source
The lightsaber is one of the most iconic weapons in Star Wars. It’s wielded by both Jedi and Sith Orders, cutting through anything it comes into contact with. In addition, it glows in various colours to symbolise its wielder’s nature.
A lightsaber’s power source is the Kyber crystal, which amplifies and channels Force energy. This rare crystal sits within its hilt and indicates its owner as either Jedi or Sith. Based on its colour, you can tell if someone owns this blade as either Jedi or Sith.
Lightsabers are also powered by diatium power cells. Although these don’t radiate heat or expend energy until they come into contact with a solid object, they exchange almost the same amount of energy when striking something to recharge themselves naturally.
Lightsabers use an exchange system to maintain their energy level, meaning they don’t need to be recharged constantly as other weapons do. However, like any other weapon, some of its power may be lost if not refreshed periodically over several years.
A lightsaber requires 28 kilowatts of energy per second to activate it – enough power for 650 car batteries or 120,000 AA batteries!
A lightsaber can pierce through virtually anything it touches, even Beskar (Mandaterian iron), the most robust metal in the galaxy. In The Phantom Menace, Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn used his lightsaber to melt a hole through thick blast doors on Nute Gunray’s bridge.
A lightsaber has the potential to burn through nearly anything it comes into contact with, as demonstrated in The Empire Strikes Back when Luke Cut through Vibranium to cause it to melt. However, energy shields, Electrostaffs, and Zillo beast scales can deflect it.
Emitter Gate
The emitter gate is an essential element of a lightsaber. This device concentrates the power cell’s energy into a narrow beam using the power vortex ring and conductor. Once directed toward the emitter, this crystal energy then activates the blade.
A power cell is a diatium-based unit consisting of millions of tiny crystals made of krypton. They are connected to an emitter via an array of tiny wires, creating channels in which energy flows.
Kaiburr Crystals
Lightsaber Crystals, also called Kyber Crystals in Legends, are essential elements of a lightsaber. These crystals focus the energy beam into a blade and form the core of all canonical lightsabers.
Crystals used in crafting a lightsaber can be either natural or synthetic. According to Star Wars Legends canon, Jedi and Sith used various naturally and artificially produced crystals depending on their personality, personal interests, and strengths.
Legends had crystals with different colours that symbolised their significance to their wielder. For example, a Sith would use a red crystal, while Jedi utilised green crystals. This colour indicated an alignment with the Force for each wielder.
Canon has altered how crystals operate. For example, rather than having multiple focusing crystals within a lightsaber, these are now solely used as the primary power source for weapons.
The return of the Kaiburr crystal serves as a reminder that there are other Force-imbued items in the Star Wars universe besides lightsabers. While they may not be as well known as kyber crystals, they remain an essential part of Star Wars lore and serve to strengthen and empower Jedi’s connection with the Force.
Blade Containment Field
A lightsaber blade is a looping plasma brand suspended within an energy containment field. Contrary to its name, this plasma brand does not emit light beams due to its containment.
The containment field shields the blade from intense heat, giving the wielder complete control. It is especially advantageous to Jedi Knights, who can efficiently perfect their weapon-use skills.
Remember that a lightsaber’s blade does not cause excessive bleeding, as it cauterises any wound it cuts through as it moves forward, stopping any bleeding. It gives Jedi an advantage since they can use their energies to increase the amount of damage the sword does.
Jedi Knights have used lightsabers for centuries due to their durability and effectiveness. Their casings are made from electrum, a rare golden metal.
Negatively Charged Fissure
Star Wars fans will recognise the lightsaber as one of the most iconic weapons in the galaxy. These powerful tools of Jedi are said to be able to generate energy, focus it into a blade, and contain it until use.
Though it may appear impossible to construct a real-life lightsaber, the technology behind them is based on fusion. This process occurs in stars, where atoms come together and create energy.
But to recreate nuclear fusion, temperatures must remain extremely high. Plasmas have been known to reach over 100 million degrees Celsius, so you would require a potent power source to sustain that without damaging anything.
Scientists have proposed using tokamaks – machines that create plasma and then confine it with strong electromagnetic fields – as a solution. However, this solution also has its drawbacks.