As the new streaming platform, Disney+ launched with a new Star Wars series, The Mandalorian, the craze of Star Wars is again renewed. Even though there is not yet the use of the famous lightsaber, the idea of lightsaber still fascinates many of us. Is there any way a lightsaber can be made in reality? Can the fictional weapon with which Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader fought with be real?
Perhaps, if we could understand a little science of the lightsaber, we will know that by ourselves.
How does the Lightsaber work?
The lightsaber seems to be about 4 feet long, with a tremendous amount of energy. It can melt considerable amounts of metals and can cut through human flesh like it was made of paper. The hilt of the lightsaber emits light, which is focused on acting as a blade. The lightsaber can be of different colors — as it depends upon the type of crystal used. Even though a lightsaber can cut through metals, it can not cut through another lightsaber. And, the fighter can hold the lightsaber in its hilt without any difficulty in spite of the amount of heat which could even melt metals.
A lightsaber can be mistaken for being made up of light because of its name. A lightsaber could not be made from the light as light cannot cut through anything. A torchlight can not cut through anything, can it? But, lasers can. Lasers are used to perform surgical operations. But we can rule out lasers too as lasers can not be fixed. We can see in simple laser light that it can never be of a fixed length.
Plasma, then?
Using a process called “ionization,” a certain type of material can be created. It is named as “Plasma.” Along with solid, liquid, and gas, Plasma is the fourth state of matter. Lightning is an example of plasma, and so is neon light. Plasma is electrically conductive. That’s the reason it is used as an electric arc cutter or welder.
So, can Plasma be used to create a lightsaber? There is a problem, though. In the Star Wars movie, the Jedi could easily melt large amounts of metals. But, to create a plasma with that amount of energy would require a tremendous amount of electrical energy — far beyond one could imagine. But, as the Star Wars do have light-speed travelers, perhaps they had the necessary technology to build one. Unfortunately, we are not that lucky. So, is it not possible for us, then, to have a lightsaber and defend justice in our country as the Jedi did for the Galactic Republic?
Well, one technology is not capable of building a lightsaber. Even if it were, the amount of heat would be so much that neither the Jedi knights nor the Sith Lords would be able to hold it.
Well, one good news is that scientists have found a way to create a lightsaber. They were able to create a light and make it still, which could even cut through stuff. It was in 2013, so it seems like they are not pretty interested in creating a lightsaber.
Note - This was published by me in Medium. (Check bio on medium account to verify)
