Electrolaser
An electrolaser is a type of electroshock weapon that is also a directed-energy weapon. It uses lasers to form an electrically conductive laser-induced plasma channel (LIPC). A fraction of a second later, a powerful electric current is sent down this plasma channel and delivered to the target, thus functioning overall as a large-scale, high energy, long-distance version of the Taser electroshock gun.
Alternating current is sent through a series of step-up transformers, increasing the voltage and decreasing the current. The final voltage may be between 108 and 109 volts. This current is fed into the plasma channel created by the laser beam.
A laser-induced plasma channel (LIPC) is formed by the following process:
Because a laser-induced plasma channel relies on ionization, gas must exist between the electrolaser weapon and its target. If a laser-beam is intense enough, its electromagnetic field is strong enough to rip electrons off of air molecules, or whatever gas happens to be in between, creating plasma. Similar to lightning, the rapid heating also creates a sonic boom.
Methods of use:
Because of the plasma channel, an electrolaser may cause an accident if there is a thunderstorm (or other electricity sources such as overhead powerlines) about.
See Taser for more information (principles of operation, controversies, etc.).
An electrolaser is not presently practical for wireless energy transfer due to danger and low efficiency.
A variant of the electrolaser can be used in combination with a set of masks and a rotating prism, for rapid 3d printing temporary magnetic components layered into gases which afterwards getting energized, generate a very short-lived magnetic force. The method was one candidate for future attempts to cage active plasmas but was discarded due to difficulties simulating gas behaviour and additional difficulties predicting actual currenten flow in the printed plasma machinery.
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