Pulsed energy weapon
Encyclopedia
A pulsed energy weapon is any weapon that:
These weapons often use large capacitor
s to build up a charge which is released when the weapon is fired. Large high-end systems sometimes use compulsator
s which store energy using rotational inertia. Weapons which do not use projectiles, such as the stun gun and laser gun, do not need any ammunition other than a power source.
Laser guns in computer games are usually pulsed as the game would be too easy if the weapon emitted a continuous beam (when a continuous beam weapon does exist, it is typically either one of the strongest weapons in the game (burning through both the toughest of enemies or obstacles and its entire ammo or energy supply in a few seconds) or one of the weakest).
- uses pulses of electricity to fire a projectile, or
- operates by transferring electric current to its target.
These weapons often use large capacitor
Capacitor
A capacitor is a passive two-terminal electrical component used to store energy in an electric field. The forms of practical capacitors vary widely, but all contain at least two electrical conductors separated by a dielectric ; for example, one common construction consists of metal foils separated...
s to build up a charge which is released when the weapon is fired. Large high-end systems sometimes use compulsator
Compulsator
A compensated pulsed alternator, also known by the portmanteau compulsator, is a form of power supply.As the name suggests, it is an alternator that is "compensated" to make it better at delivering pulses of electrical energy than a normal alternator.- Description and operation:The principle is...
s which store energy using rotational inertia. Weapons which do not use projectiles, such as the stun gun and laser gun, do not need any ammunition other than a power source.
Common pulsed energy weapons
- TaserTaserA Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
- A combination of a conventional weapon & electrical weapon - Stun gunStun gunStun gun may refer to:*Electroshock weapon, an incapacitant weapon that momentarily disables a person with an electric shock*Directed-energy weapon, a weapon that emits energy in an aimed direction without projectile, if it causes unconsciousness...
Fictional pulsed energy weapons
- Some raygunRaygunRayguns are a type of fictional directed-energy weapon. They have various alternate names: ray gun, death ray, beam gun, blaster, laser gun, phaser, etc. They are a well-known feature of science fiction; for such stories they typically have the general function of guns...
s and plasma riflePlasma rifleWhen discussing weapons in science fiction, a plasma weapon is a type of raygun that fires a stream, bolt, pulse or toroid of plasma...
s - Leyden ballLeyden ballA Leyden ball is a fictional bullet used in a nineteenth century science fiction novel. It contains a capacitance charge of electrical energy, which discharges instantaneously upon the bullet's impact...
rifles, of Jules VerneJules VerneJules Gabriel Verne was a French author who pioneered the science fiction genre. He is best known for his novels Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , A Journey to the Center of the Earth , and Around the World in Eighty Days...
origin - Weapons mounted on space ships in the Star Trek universe
- Most weapons used by advanced species in the Stargate universeStargateStargate is a adventure military science fiction franchise, initially conceived by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin. The first film in the franchise was simply titled Stargate. It was originally released on October 28, 1994, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Carolco, and became a hit, grossing nearly...
- The most common weapon type in the FarscapeFarscapeFarscape is an Australian-American science fiction television series filmed in Australia and produced originally for the Nine Network. The series was conceived by Rockne S. O'Bannon and produced by Jim Henson Productions and Hallmark Entertainment...
television series
Laser guns in computer games are usually pulsed as the game would be too easy if the weapon emitted a continuous beam (when a continuous beam weapon does exist, it is typically either one of the strongest weapons in the game (burning through both the toughest of enemies or obstacles and its entire ammo or energy supply in a few seconds) or one of the weakest).