Directed-energy weapon

A directed-energy weapon is a type of energy weapon that directs energy in a particular direction by a means other than a projectile. It transfers energy to a target for a desired effect. Some of these weapons are real or practicable; some are science fiction. The energy is in various forms:-

Related Topics:
Energy weapon - Energy - Projectile - Science fiction

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• Electromagnetic radiation (typically lasers or masers).
• Particles with mass (particle beam weapons).
• In fictional weapons, undefined, or some sort of radiation or energetic particle that does not exist in the real world.

See energy weapon for non-directional energy weapons.

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Some of these weapons are known as death rays or rayguns and are usually portrayed as projecting energy at a person or object in order to kill or destroy. The projected energy can come in many forms, such as a particle beam, laser, or radiation stream. Other forms are described later in this article. So far, weapons described as rayguns are all fictional (or non-functional toys and film props).

Related Topics:
Particle beam - Laser - Radiation - Rayguns - Fictional - Toy - Film prop

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Some lethal directed-energy weapons are under active research and development, but most examples of such weapons appear in science fiction.

Related Topics:
Active research - Science fiction

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Types of directed-energy weapons are:-

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Directed-energy weapon: Ordinary light ►