The Lightsaber

"This was the formal weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster. More skill than simple sight was required for its use. An elegant weapon. It was a symbol as well. Anyone can use a blaster or a fusioncutter—but to use a lightsaber well was a mark of someone a cut above the ordinary."

- Obi-Wan Kenobi

Designed as much for elegance in combat as for ceremony, the lightsaber, also referred to as the "laser sword" by those who are unfamiliar with it, is a distinctive weapon, the very image of which is inextricably bound with the mythos of the Jedi Order and their polar opposites, the Sith. The lightsaber also became synonymous with the Jedi Order's values to uphold peace and justice throughout the galaxy. This perception endures, despite the many conflicts with lightsaber-wielding Sith and Dark Jedi.

The weapon consists of a blade of pure plasma energy emitting from the hilt and suspended in a force containment field. The field contains the immense heat of the plasma, protecting the wielder, and allows the blade to keep its shape. The hilt is almost always self-fabricated by the wielder to match his or her specific needs, preferences and style. Due to the weightlessness of plasma and the strong gyroscopic effect generated by it, lightsabers require a great deal of strength and dexterity to wield, and are extremely difficult—and dangerous—for the untrained to attempt using. However, in the hands of an expert of the Force, the lightsaber is a weapon to be greatly respected and feared. To wield a lightsaber is to demonstrate incredible skill and confidence, as well as masterful dexterity and attachment to the Force.

"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, to his students

The typical lightsaber hilt consists of a metal cylinder between twenty and thirty-five centimeters in length. However, the size of individuals hilts vary drastically, as the weapon is tailored to the creator's specific needs and preferences. The lightsaber mechanisms are contained within the hilt. High levels of energy generated by a high-output Diatium power cell are unleashed through a series of focusing lenses and energizers that convert the energy into plasma. The plasma is projected through a set of focusing crystals that lend the blade its properties and allow for the adjustment of blade length and power output. The ideal number of crystals is three, though only one is required.

Once focused by the crystals, the plasma is sent through a series of field energizers and modulation circuitry within the emitter matrix that further focus it, making it into a coherent beam of energy that is projected from the 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 is channeled back to the power cell by a superconductor, completing the circuit. Below is a list of the primary parts almost all lightsabers need to use to function properly:

Lightsaber Hilt: A lightsaber hilt contains many components, all of which are hand-selected by the Force-user who constructs it and tuned to be in harmony with each other at the completion of the weapon's creation. Nearly every lightsaber hilt is unique in its construction, borne of the Force-user who creates it and using whatever materials are at hand; typically, such weapons are created over a span of months. Ideally, the Jedi or Sith who create it will go into deep Meditation, poring over each individual component to be added and thus forging a connection with it through the Force.

Hilt Variants

Standard: The standard lightsaber consists of a straight hilt approximately 20 to 30 centimeters long. As it is the standard make, it has no defining features other than details on individual hilts, as each weapon is often self-fabricated by the wielder and customized to suit their specifications.

Electrum: The only difference electrum lightsabers has compared to the standard is that their casing is built of the golden electrum metal. A purely cosmetic accessory, this feature is only allowed to high-ranking members of the New Jedi Order, being a prestigious honor bestowed on masters who have demonstrated their strength and skill.

Double-bladed: Also referred to as saberstaffs and Sith lightsabers, double-bladed lightsabers consist of a single hilt that projects a blade from both ends, resulting in a deadly staff-like weapon. Most saberstaff hilts are of increased length, as they usually consist of two separate lightsabers connected at the pommels.

The usage of double-bladed lightsabers eventually gave rise to the use of paired lightsabers. As many double-bladed lightsabers are simply two separate lightsabers joined at the pommel, this is taken advantage of and the weapons are connected with a locking mechanism rather than a solid weld, allowing the two weapons to be separated for Jar'Kai dual-blade combat. Many duelists use the paired function to surprise enemies in combat, wielding it as a saberstaff before separating the weapons. Other versions of the paired lightsaber has the weapons joined by a fiber cord instead of a locking mechanism. Those linked by the fiber cords are held by the cord and flailed about, exchanging control for unpredictability.

Guard Shoto: A variation on the standard short shoto lightsabers, guard shotos feature an elongated hilt with a secondary handle built angling 90 degrees out from the main hilt. They are built to be carried by the second handle, with the blade parallel to the forearm, allowing the weapon to be easily used for blocks. Due to the defensive nature of the weapon, it is recommended that the casing be machined out of lightsaber-resistant phrik alloy.

Crossguard: An extremely rare variant only seen in the hands of skilled duelists, crossguard lightsabers, also known as forked lightsabers, feature a specialized hilt that emits two blades. One blade is the standard lightsaber blade, but the second is a significantly shorter and thinner blade projected by a secondary emitter next to the main at an angle. The secondary blade is used as a guard to protect the hand, and on occasion to catch attacks between it and the main blade.

Curved: Curved-hilt lightsabers are a type of hilt that features hilt with a built in curve. This is usually done to allow the hilt to fit better into the palm, facilitating the use of one-handed fighting styles such as Makashi, or to provide variable blade angle to confuse opponents.

Long-handle: Built to cater to specific fighting styles, long-handle lightsabers feature a lengthened handle that provides the duelist with more surface area to place his hands, and providing more leverage for attacks. The length of long-handled lightsabers varies considerably, with some examples, such as the weapon of Warb Null simply being double the length of standard hilts, and others, such as Darth Nihl's weapon, being staffs with a lightsaber blade on the end.

Pike: Resembling pole-arms in many respects, lightsaber pikes feature extremely long handles, up to two meters long, with a somewhat shorter and thicker lightsaber blade. The handle is machined from phrik alloy to prevent it from being cut in two, as the purpose of the weapon is to provide vastly increased its own range.

Cane: The sabercane is a simple variation on the standard; a lightsaber concealed as the head of a cane. In combat, the handle will be detached from the body of the cane and wielded normally. Tera Sinube wielded such a weapon, as did the Sith acolyte Haazen.

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Pommel Cap: The pommel cap is the endpiece of a lightsaber hilt.

Typically, they are made from a single piece of heavy metal, and they also serve as the backplate for the inner workings of the lightsaber, completing various circuits. In some lightsabers, the cap also held an extra backup power cell; such was the case with Dooku's lightsaber and Obi-Wan Kenobi's first lightsaber. These heavy ends of the hilt are sometimes incorporated into the fighting styles of a Jedi as an alternative to actually impaling an opponent on the blade end of the weapon. This sometimes provides a nonfatal resolution to an incident.

They typically included a ring to hook on the wielders belt when not in use, though some lightsabers, such as Dooku's, used a powerful magnetic plate for the same purpose.

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Diatium Power Cell: The diatium power cell is the primary power source for a lightsaber and one of the critical components of a lightsaber hilt. Located directly below and wired into the primary crystal mount, to which was affixed the weapon's primary focusing crystal, these types of power cells are in turn wrapped within the power field conductor, power vortex ring and an inert power insulator. The lightsaber's pommel cap and its recharging port are attached directly to the diatium cell.

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Inert Power Insulator: An inert power insulator is one of the many components of a lightsaber hilt. It provides a means of insulating the power cell of a lightsaber from the handle itself, thus preventing any leakage from electrocuting the weapon's owner, due to its composition of matter that did not conduct electrical current.

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Focusing Lens: The focusing lens is a key component in the construction of a lightsaber hilt. These lenses further regulate the beam of a lightsaber, allowing the blade it produces to terminate at a given point. Different types of lenses yield different properties in the lightsabers that they are built into; in addition, like most other parts of these weapons, they require skilled crafts-beings to produce though often they are available commercially or even salvageable.

Types of Specialized Lenses

Vibration lens: The vibration lens is a type of focusing lens used in the construction or upgrading of lightsabers. As its name suggests, the lens vibrates at a high rate of speed. This enables the weapon to produce a more deadly, if less stable, beam.

Adegan lens: An Adegan lens is a type of lightsaber focusing lens that uses Adegan crystals as the lens medium, although these are more commonly used as the weapon's primary crystal. Using the crystal's natural properties, the lens is able to produce a more energized blade.

Beam Gem lens: A Beam Gem lens is a type of lightsaber focusing lens that is manufactured primarily from beam gem crystals. These crystals commonly find use in optical computers, for example within navigation computers and, when used as a lightsaber lens, produces a highly focused blade.

Ossus Dueling Lens: An Ossus dueling lens is a type of lightsaber focusing lens that was widely used at the Ossus Jedi Enclave. It is intended to create a highly focused blade for providing fine-tuned control over one's lightsaber.

Pontite lens: A Pontite lens is a lightsaber focusing lens created using a Pontite crystal. Although the rare crystal is typically used as a focusing crystal, as a lens it is capable of cooling both skin and tempers.

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Lightsaber Crystal: A lightsaber crystal was a term used to describe any variety of crystals, gems, stones, or other objects used as the focus in the construction of a lightsaber.

At the heart of every lightsaber is a set of crystals that resonate to produce the efficient, powerful blade. While the most common crystals used in the process are from the Adega system, Ilum, and Dantooine (in the so-called "Crystal Cave"), Jedi and Sith use a variety of crystals to produce various colors, effects and unique abilities. Some crystals can even enhance the Force skills of a particular user. Other gems, such as colored crystals or diamonds, are used exclusively for prismatic effects. However not all lightsaber crystals are actually crystals at all. There are plenty of exceptions where a Jedi or Sith will use a different material or substance in place of a crystal, such as physical remains, shards of glass, and even special micro machinery.

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Emitter Matrix: The emitter matrix is a crucial component of the lightsaber. A saber's blade is emitted out the handle through the emitter matrix which kept a tight magnetic grip on the beam and allows it to reliably extend to a predetermined length.

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Blade Emitter: The blade emitter is the part of a lightsaber that actually projects the blade. It consists of the emitter matrix, which further focuses the blade after the crystal with a tightly wrapped magnetic field, and the emitter itself, where the blade actually protrudes. The emitter possesses the magnetic ring that creates the field that contains the plasma of the blade and arcs it back to the lightsaber for reconversion back to electricity.

Blade Variants

Training Lightsaber: Training lightsabers is essentially a regular lightsaber, only engineered with a permanent low-power setting, rather than the adjustable setting featured on standard weapons. As their name indicates, training lightsabers are used for instructional purposes, teaching initiates how to wield a lightsaber. Due to their permanent low-power setting, training lightsabers are extremely limited in the type of damage they can cause, the most severe injuries being burns and serious bruises. In fact, the weapon is so weak that an individual can physically grab the blade and suffer no injury besides the burns and bruises.

Dual-phase Lightsaber: While most lightsabers feature a built-in length adjust, dual-phase lightsabers allow for rapid transitions between two sets of preset lengths. The dual-phase lightsaber was originally conceived early in history, being used for the purpose of lightsaber dueling. The most common usage at the time would be to switch between a standard length and one of increased length as a surprise tactic during lightsaber duels. In more contemporary times, however, it is more common to have the secondary length be shorter for precision cutting.

Known wielders of dual-phase lightsabers include Darth Vader, Dooku, and Corran Horn.

Shoto: Essentially, a shoto is a short lightsaber, featuring a shortened blade length and diminutive handle, it is basically a miniaturized lightsaber. Shoto's are usually used as the secondary weapon in dual-blade combat, as their smaller blade length results in a less intensive gyroscopic effect, making the weapon easier to handle. Shotos are also used as primary weapons by some duelists, most who do so being of diminutive size, making a full sized lightsaber impractical, though this is not always the case. Examples of this would be duelists such as Vandar Tokare, Picaroon C. Boodle or Yoda.

Other duelists known to have wielded shoto's in combat include Kavar, Sora Bulq, Luke Skywalker, and many others.

Lightclub: Essentially the opposite of the shoto, lightclubs are massively over-sized lightsabers that project overlong blades. They are almost universally wielded by individuals of overlarge stature to accommodate their size. An example of such a being is the mutated Gamorrean Dark Jedi; Gorc.

Lightwhip: Lightwhips are exotic variations on the typical lightsaber that see only rare usage. Like a lightsaber, it emitts a coherent beam of energy, but instead of a straight meter-long blade, it is several meters in length and flexible. Most lightwhips are produced by emitters extended from the hilt. The energy field is then created around the solid emitters. Wielded in a whip-like manner, they are used to attack opponents at a range and provide an element of unpredictability in combat. However, they are significantly weaker than standard lightsabers, and their blades are ineffective defensively. Lightwhip wielders include Githany, Lumiya, Silri.

Underwater: While most lightsabers short out when the blade touches water, this blade is made to operate underwater due to two crystals employed in a bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse. Generally only Jedi from aquatic races will go to the trouble of constructing a waterproof saber, as only they have the mobility to use it effectively underwater. However, there are several other non-aquatic lightsaber-wielders who modify their weapons, so they are functional underwater.

Darksabers: This ancient lightsaber has a unique black blade that is flattened and comes to a point like a traditional sword, rather than the rounded beam of more standard lightsabers.