Are Star Wars lasers actually lasers?

In the Star Wars universe, the term "laser" is commonly used to describe the weaponry and projectiles fired by blasters, turbolasers, and other energy-based weapons. However, these Star Wars lasers are not exactly "lasers" as we understand them in the real world. While they are often depicted as bright, concentrated beams of energy, they don't follow the scientific principles of actual lasers. Instead, they are more of a science fiction concept designed for visual impact and narrative convenience. Here’s why:

1. What is a Laser in Real Life?

A laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a device that generates a coherent beam of light—meaning that all the light waves travel in the same direction and have the same frequency. Lasers can produce highly focused beams of light, which are used in everything from barcode scanners to cutting tools and military systems. These beams travel in a straight line, and the energy they carry is often highly concentrated, making lasers capable of precision targeting and cutting through materials.

• Real-life lasers do not have physical mass, and they can only travel at the speed of light (which is incredibly fast—about 300,000 kilometers per second).
• They are typically focused light beams with no physical substance, meaning they wouldn’t visibly scatter or bend, and they wouldn’t be able to interact with physical objects unless the energy is absorbed.

2. Star Wars Lasers: Not Real Lasers

In Star Wars, what are referred to as "lasers" are, in fact, more like plasma bolts or energy projectiles. They share the same basic idea of high-energy beams, but they differ significantly from real-world lasers. Here are some of the key differences:

• Visible light trails: Star Wars "lasers" visibly travel through the air, leaving a glowing trail. Real lasers, in contrast, would be nearly invisible unless they interacted with something (like smoke or dust) that would scatter the light.
• Disruptive energy: When Star Wars "lasers" hit a target, they often cause explosive reactions, damage, or burst with visible energy, which is more akin to plasma than a simple beam of light. Blasters in Star Wars, for example, fire what are described as energy bolts or plasma blasts that cause damage to the target, much like how a real-world weapon would work.
• Travel time: In Star Wars, "laser" bolts can appear to travel at a relatively slow speed, which makes them visible to the naked eye. In real life, lasers travel at the speed of light (300,000 km/s), which would be so fast that, even in a combat situation, you wouldn't see the beam travel—just the impact on the target.
• Color and visible effects: Star Wars "lasers" often come in various colors—from the traditional red and green of blasters to the blue and purple of lightsabers or turbolasers. In reality, a laser typically has a single, specific wavelength (color) unless it’s specially designed, like in lasers used for medical or military purposes, which might involve specialized technologies.

3. Blasters and Plasma

In the Star Wars universe, blasters fire bolts of plasma or superheated gas, which are described as "laser bolts" in the films and lore, but they aren’t technically lasers. Plasma is a high-energy state of matter, and these bolts contain concentrated energy that can cause damage, much like how a bullet or missile works.

• Blasters: In the Star Wars universe, a blaster typically fires a "plasma" or "energy bolt" that comes from a weapon’s power pack. The bolt is more than just a beam of light—it’s a superheated, high-energy particle that can cause physical damage or even explode on impact, akin to a small explosion or incendiary round.
• Turbolasers: These are large-scale energy weapons used on capital ships or as planetary defense guns. They are depicted as massive beams of energy that can blast through shields and cause significant damage to ships. These turbolasers are probably closer to high-powered plasma weapons than traditional lasers.

4. Energy and Power Sources

In Star Wars, the energy sources for these "lasers" are often described as blaster packs or energy cells, which can store enormous amounts of energy. This energy can then be released in the form of plasma bolts. The fact that these energy weapons need power storage and have limited shots per energy pack suggests that they are more complex than just being lasers.

• Energy-based weapons like the blasters and turbolasers are often described as emitting energy blasts, which have kinetic effects (such as explosions or heat damage), something that would be impossible with a real laser in the traditional sense.

5. Sound in Space

Another notable aspect of Star Wars "lasers" is that they make sound when they fire. In the vacuum of space, there’s no air to carry sound waves, so real lasers would not make any noise. Star Wars, however, takes artistic liberties, and the weapons are designed to make dramatic sounds (like the iconic pew pew pew of blasters) to enhance the action and excitement for the audience.

6. Lightsabers: A Different Kind of Energy

Lightsabers are often described as "energy blades," but they don't technically function like lasers either. They are beams of plasma contained within a magnetic field, which is a completely different technology from a laser. While lightsabers emit a glowing blade of energy, they’re much more akin to plasma or a highly focused energy field than a traditional laser beam.

Conclusion: Star Wars Lasers Are Not Real Lasers

In essence, the "lasers" in Star Wars are not lasers in the scientific sense. They are a fictional weapon designed for dramatic effect and narrative purposes. They are likely plasma-based energy bolts or high-energy projectiles that cause visible damage and travel in a way that’s more visually striking than real-world lasers would be. The use of the term "laser" is more of a catch-all to describe these energy weapons, but the actual mechanics behind them are far more fantastical and suited to the space fantasy genre than to real-world physics.