"The components are fairly simple. Every lightsaber has a standard power source, the same type used in small blasters, even in glowpanels. They last a long time, though, because Jedi should rarely use their lightsabers. One of the other crucial pieces is a focusing crystal. The most powerful and sought-after gems are rare Kaiburr crystals. However, though lightsabers are powerful weapons, their design is so flexible that practically any kind of crystal can be used."
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
The typical lightsaber hilt consists of a metal cylinder between ten to twelve inches in length. However, the size of individuals' hilts varies drastically, as the weapon is tailored to the creator's specific needs and preferences. The hilt has a pommel cap at the bottom which sometimes held a backup power cell. The lightsaber mechanisms are contained within the hilt. High levels of energy generated by a high-output Diatium power cell is unleashed through a series of focusing lenses and energizers that converts the energy into plasma. The plasma is projected through a set of lightsaber crystals that lent the blade its properties and allows for the adjustment of blade length and power output. The ideal number of crystals is three, though only one iss required. A power insulator is installed on the hilt to protect the wielder from any energy discharges. Activating the lightsaber usually requires a button of some sort. A blade power adjustment knob is sometimes installed to allow the wielder to vary the power of the blade. A discharge energy cell can also be installed to increase a lightsaber's power output.
Once focused by the crystals, the plasma iss sent through a series of field energizers and modulation circuitry within the emitter matrix that further focuses it, making it into a coherent beam of energy that iss projected from the blade emitter. The blade typically extends about a meter before being arced by the blade containment field back to a negatively charged fissure ringing the emitter, where it iss channeled back to the power cell by a superconductor, completing the circuit.
Once focused by the crystals, the plasma iss sent through a series of field energizers and modulation circuitry within the emitter matrix that further focuses it, making it into a coherent beam of energy that iss projected from the blade emitter. The blade typically extends about a meter before being arced by the blade containment field back to a negatively charged fissure ringing the emitter, where it iss channeled back to the power cell by a superconductor, completing the circuit.
Cutting Power
Lightsaber blades are a mass-less form that neither radiate heat nor expend energy until they come into contact with something solid. The power of the energy blade is so great that it can cut through almost anything, although the speed through which it cut depended on the density of the subject. One important note about lightsaber wounds is that they rarely bleed profusely, even when a limb has been severed. This is because the energy blade cauterizes the wound as it passes, and thus even a severe wound does not tend to bleed heavily.
When cutting through dense material, the immense electromagnetic field generated by the arc caused resistance rather than letting solid matter enter and interrupt the arc. This gave the blade a feeling of being solid when immersed in dense material. Rarely, some solid materials can actually pass through the electromagnetic field and short out the arc. Other electromagnetic energy fields and coherent energy are also repelled by lightsabers' arcs. These include most force fields, blaster bolts, and other lightsaber blades.
When cutting through dense material, the immense electromagnetic field generated by the arc caused resistance rather than letting solid matter enter and interrupt the arc. This gave the blade a feeling of being solid when immersed in dense material. Rarely, some solid materials can actually pass through the electromagnetic field and short out the arc. Other electromagnetic energy fields and coherent energy are also repelled by lightsabers' arcs. These include most force fields, blaster bolts, and other lightsaber blades.
Weaknesses
Aside from the blade of another lightsaber, there were rare materials that could withstand a lightsaber blade, but with varying degrees of success:
Cortosis: Although a rare and expensive metal, was a popular defense against lightsabers. Purified cortosis ore had the ability to momentarily "short out" a lightsaber blade, rendering it inoperable for a brief period of time before the wielder could reactivate it. Lightsabers with Mestare crystals were known to be immune to this effect. Cortosis alloy was sturdier than purified cortosis ore, but was only capable of deflecting a lightsaber blade and not deactivating it. One reason why cortosis was so expensive was the need to refine it. Pure, unrefined Cortosis ore was—for unknown reasons—dangerously ionized and anyone who touched it would be killed instantly. There were multiple methods of forging cortosis armor and weapons, each with varying effects.
Phrik: A rare metallic compound that could withstand a lightsaber blade, although unlike cortosis, Phrik did not possess the ability to cause the blade to short out. Phrik was most notably used in the construction of the electrostaffs wielded by General Grievous's MagnaGuards. Other notable uses of Phrik included elements of Palpatine's lightsaber and Dark trooper armor.
Darkswords: An ancient type of sword made from a special material that could parry lightsabers. Unlike cortosis, this material did not possess the ability to temporarily deactivate a lightsaber blade it made contact with.
Armorweave: A cloth said to give some resistance to lightsabers, although the protection the reinforced material afforded was limited.
Sith Alchemy: Employed during the eras of the first Sith Empire to augment the properties of metals, so as to counter the seemingly unstoppable lightsaber. The Sith also made use of such elements as cortosis in the forging of their Sith swords. After the original Sith Empire, the most notorious use of Sith Alchemy was in the construction and reinforcement of Darth Vader's armor.
Mandalorian Iron: A metal found on the planet Mandalore—known as beskar in the Mandalorian language—Mandalorian iron could be forged into several configurations to take advantage of its exceptional lightsaber-resistant qualities. Commonly used in the creation of Mandalorian armor or weapons, the metal was also used to construct the door sealing Freedon Nadd's tomb.
Force Weapons: Weapons imbued with the power of the Force could be used to parry a lightsaber's blade without harm.
Vong Technology: Vonduun Skerr Kyrric armor proved to be lightsaber resistant, and Amphistaffs were able to clash with lightsaber blades repeatedly without sustaining damage.
Water: All lightsabers, unless specially made, would short out when they were submerged in water, due to rapid chain reactions and the instant overpowering of water on the blade. In rain, a lightsaber would steam up, but not short out. Some Jedi, specifically those of aquatic species, designed special lightsabers that could activate underwater.
Other counteracting materials existed in the galaxy, such as various energy shields. Some animals, such as lava dragons, were possessed of natural armor that deflected the blade. Superconductive materials (e.g. ultrachrome, Quantum-crystalline armor) deflected lightsaber strikes. The skin of the Tikulini worms of Jazbina was able to withstand a lightsaber strikes. The Zillo Beasts native to Malastare also had plate-like armor resistant to lightsaber blows.
Cortosis: Although a rare and expensive metal, was a popular defense against lightsabers. Purified cortosis ore had the ability to momentarily "short out" a lightsaber blade, rendering it inoperable for a brief period of time before the wielder could reactivate it. Lightsabers with Mestare crystals were known to be immune to this effect. Cortosis alloy was sturdier than purified cortosis ore, but was only capable of deflecting a lightsaber blade and not deactivating it. One reason why cortosis was so expensive was the need to refine it. Pure, unrefined Cortosis ore was—for unknown reasons—dangerously ionized and anyone who touched it would be killed instantly. There were multiple methods of forging cortosis armor and weapons, each with varying effects.
Phrik: A rare metallic compound that could withstand a lightsaber blade, although unlike cortosis, Phrik did not possess the ability to cause the blade to short out. Phrik was most notably used in the construction of the electrostaffs wielded by General Grievous's MagnaGuards. Other notable uses of Phrik included elements of Palpatine's lightsaber and Dark trooper armor.
Darkswords: An ancient type of sword made from a special material that could parry lightsabers. Unlike cortosis, this material did not possess the ability to temporarily deactivate a lightsaber blade it made contact with.
Armorweave: A cloth said to give some resistance to lightsabers, although the protection the reinforced material afforded was limited.
Sith Alchemy: Employed during the eras of the first Sith Empire to augment the properties of metals, so as to counter the seemingly unstoppable lightsaber. The Sith also made use of such elements as cortosis in the forging of their Sith swords. After the original Sith Empire, the most notorious use of Sith Alchemy was in the construction and reinforcement of Darth Vader's armor.
Mandalorian Iron: A metal found on the planet Mandalore—known as beskar in the Mandalorian language—Mandalorian iron could be forged into several configurations to take advantage of its exceptional lightsaber-resistant qualities. Commonly used in the creation of Mandalorian armor or weapons, the metal was also used to construct the door sealing Freedon Nadd's tomb.
Force Weapons: Weapons imbued with the power of the Force could be used to parry a lightsaber's blade without harm.
Vong Technology: Vonduun Skerr Kyrric armor proved to be lightsaber resistant, and Amphistaffs were able to clash with lightsaber blades repeatedly without sustaining damage.
Water: All lightsabers, unless specially made, would short out when they were submerged in water, due to rapid chain reactions and the instant overpowering of water on the blade. In rain, a lightsaber would steam up, but not short out. Some Jedi, specifically those of aquatic species, designed special lightsabers that could activate underwater.
Other counteracting materials existed in the galaxy, such as various energy shields. Some animals, such as lava dragons, were possessed of natural armor that deflected the blade. Superconductive materials (e.g. ultrachrome, Quantum-crystalline armor) deflected lightsaber strikes. The skin of the Tikulini worms of Jazbina was able to withstand a lightsaber strikes. The Zillo Beasts native to Malastare also had plate-like armor resistant to lightsaber blows.