Lesson One: Technology of the Lightsaber
The technology of Lightsabers is almost as old as the order of Jedi Knights itself. And the Jedi, as is well known,have served as the gaurdians of peace and justice throughout the Galaxy for over twenty-five thousand years.
Although the exact details of lightsaber operation remain shrouded in mystery, the general technology is known. All the controls and components fit into a compact handle 24 to 30 centimeters long. When the Jedi activates the lightsaber, a tremendous charge of pure energy flows from the power cell. A series of multi-faceted jewels focus the energy into a tight parallel beam.
Each saber beam has a unique frequency which determines the "feel" of the blade, how it handles when cutting something or contacting a force field or another saber blade. The frequency of each saber blade can be calculated from its blade color and pitch it generates. Sabers use between one and three jewels to give their beam a specific frequency.
Sabers with a single jewel have a fixed amplitude, which determines the blade length. Other sabers with multiple jewels can alter their amplitude, and thus the blade length by rotating or varying the separation between the jewels. The best sabers use natural jewels, but, evidently, the Jedi can forge synthetic jewels with a small furnace and a few basic elements.
The beam emits from a positively charged continuous energy lens at the center of the handle. The beam then arcs circumferentially back to a negatively charged high energy flux aperture, usually set in a disk that also serves as a handguard. The power amplitude determines the point at which the beam arcs back to the disk, setting the blade length. The tight, arcing beam forms a blade of amazing strength.
A superconductor transfers the power from the flux aperture to the power cell. Almost no energy is lost in the process - the beam doesn't even radiate noticeable heat, though it does fluoresce and hum. The saber looses power only when it cuts through something - but not when contacting another saber blade. The Jedi must use his strength and skill to force his blade against another saber blade; no lightsaber can cut another's beam.
Controls at the hilt of the saber adjust the power cell capacity and allow periodic recharging. Though exact duration figures are not known, it is clear that Jedi can use their sabers for years at a time before recharging becomes necessary.
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From the Star Wars Sourcebook and Dark Empire