Lasers

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Devices which emit concentrated light energy in beams or pulses. Lasers can be tools or weapons.

As tools, lasers can be used in such diverse tasks as surgical operations or welding.

As weapons, lasers can range from hand-held to ship-mounted weapons. They are perhaps the most versatile weapons yet developed.

Ship-mounted lasers cause damage to the exterior surfaces of enemy targets. Pulse lasers fire short bursts of high energy at targets, and are more effective at inflicting damage than are beam lasers. Beam lasers fire continuous beams of energy at targets, and are more effective at hitting than are pulse lasers.

(BOOK-2, 1107; BOOK-5, 1107)

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