Electrolaser
Encyclopedia : E : EL : ELE : Electrolaser
An electrolaser is a type of directed-energy weapon. It lets blooming occur, and then sends a powerful electric current down the conducting ionized track of plasma so formed, somewhat like lightning. It functions as a giant high energy long-distance version of the Taser or stun gun.
Alternating current is sent through a series of step-up transformers, increasing the voltage and decreasing the amperage. The final voltage may be between 108 and 109 volts. This current is fed into the laser beam. To complete the electric circuit, there should be either a second laser beam, or a ground return from the target to the last transformer in the step-up series. This electric arc could kill or incapacitate a human target through electrocution. Any electric or electronic devices in the target may be seriously damaged, disabled or destroyed. Because it relies on the blooming effect, there must be air or some other gas between the electrolaser weapon and the target.
The only defenses against electron particle beam weapons are magnetic fields, electrical insulators, capacitors, electrostatic fields, and Faraday cages.
See Electroshock gun for more information (principles of operation, controversies, etc).
Examples of electrolasers
There was an unconfirmed report that in 1985 the U.S. Navy tested an electrolaser. Its targets were missiles and aircraft. This device was known as the Phoenix project within the Strategic Defense Initiative research program. It was first proved by experiment at long range in 1985. But this report may have referred to an early test of MIRACL, which is or was a high-powered chemical laser.See [this link] for USA experiments with what was probably an electrolaser.
[Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems] in Anderson, Indiana is developing a rifle-sized electrolaser for the U.S. Marines. It is intended to incapacitate men and pre-detonate IEDs. [#endnote_linkAP]
[Ionatron] is developing an electrolaser.
In fiction
Electrolasers often occur in science fiction and videogames, such as perhaps the "Volt Auto Rifle" in .
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