The VS don't use frigin lasers - Page 5

zMessiahz · 2003-04-10, 12:15 PM

Originally posted by NeoTassadar
You are forgetting that lasers that do not exite the air particles enough to radiate light are the low-power, constant beam ones we have today. The ones in this games are fired off in bursts were more energy than we can put into one today (besides the sattelite-killers) into a beam only about 5 feet long. That much energy hitting at once would exite the air molecules enough to emit light, most likely. Not even the sattelite-killers we have today have that energy density. Their beams are several miles long and last for about 10 seconds constant before they melt the thing. The Vanu's are 2-5 ft. and the bursts last a few milliseconds at the most.

The total energy state of what you say is true (although the US now has a laser capable of breaking through a ballistic missile's armor in under 2 seconds now!). However, it is not the total energy that would cause other particles to emit light. The effect we are discussing is the molecules present in air (for simplicity just "air" not air contaminated by say... dust) would absord and re-emit energy carried by the photons in light. That effect is the same no matter the overall energy of the laser. Its reduced to if the molecule being struct has electrons in an energy state capable of obsorbing the energy from a single photon. The number of photons (read more powerful laser) is inconsequential. That is, unless said material is abosorbing them, then the number determines the amount of energy transfered and the number of molucles that will absorb the energy.

Terik · 2003-04-10, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by zMessiahz
The total energy state of what you say is true (although the US now has a laser capable of breaking through a ballistic missile's armor in under 2 seconds now!). However, it is not the total energy that would cause other particles to emit light. The effect we are discussing is the molecules present in air (for simplicity just "air" not air contaminated by say... dust) would absord and re-emit energy carried by the photons in light. That effect is the same no matter the overall energy of the laser. Its reduced to if the molecule being struct has electrons in an energy state capable of obsorbing the energy from a single photon. The number of photons (read more powerful laser) is inconsequential. That is, unless said material is abosorbing them, then the number determines the amount of energy transfered and the number of molucles that will absorb the energy.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind, I gotta go do some research be right back in a few hours.

NeoTassadar · 2003-04-10, 02:14 PM

Alright, not exactly the gaseous molecules in air, but the particles in the air, even the small amounts normally seen (well, not seen), would reflect those photons. Laser pointers, when shone through anything (except a complete vaccum or purely transparent substance, good luck finding either), do have the light deflected by particles, just normally not enough to be seen. When you get enough photons, it will reflect enough to be seen. And even if I'm wrong, they could be intentionally projecting a luminescent particle "tracer" behind the actual beam, the same concept as tracer bullets.

Vimp · 2003-04-10, 03:52 PM

What Neo said was what I was getting at. A laser can have a variety of things altered or added to it to make it visible.

zMessiahz · 2003-04-10, 06:33 PM

Yes there are contaminants in the air that can be induced to emit light; however, I would again purpose the same arguement. The power of the laser does not matter. What would be important then is the amount of contaminants present. The laser pointer is easily visible with dust.... so all you've changed is the number of contaminants.

Besides... in the game if you must have an explanation... isn't it easier to just say its a plasma based weapon? With enough heat to ionize the surrounding gas? Would explain the tracers and the non-lightspeed travel times. Why unessesarily try to force the word "laser" on them? Thats probably why they called them "beam weapons" anyways. They may have some smart ass like me that would make fun of them if they did call it a laser!

Matuse · 2003-04-10, 06:33 PM

A laser can have a variety of things altered or added to it to make it visible.

Vimp, please just stop. Your constant butchery of physics is embarrassing.

Vimp · 2003-04-10, 07:37 PM

Claiming that I don't know anything dosn't make you look any smarter Matuse. I'm speculating just like everyone else based on what we DO know. And what I said will not be proven wrong in all likly hood.

Hellsfire123 · 2003-04-10, 09:39 PM

PSU: Psychotic Suicidal Urges

fits this thread perfectly.

Anyway, to correct what i remember. All beam weapons except Lasher and Antivech have alt fire modes for armor peircing. This not including vechical weapons. Actually there are only three types of light. White light, infrared and ultraviolet. The rest are electromagnetic radiation(I.E. Radio waves, xrays, gamma rays). You can argue that these light paterns can be further broken down by wavelength, but why bother?

You cant add anything to light. Thats just amazingly dumb.

To finish off this post, yes your right that the vanu dont use lasers (NO Z IN LASER FOR CHRISTS SAKE), but id like to direct you back to the picture of the kid running.

Matuse · 2003-04-10, 10:43 PM

Claiming that I don't know anything dosn't make you look any smarter Matuse.

I don't care. I just want you to stop throwing out these reams of misinformation. Stop. Please.

Anam Nantom · 2003-04-10, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by LesserShade
The vanu are trying to take over :/
http://www.defensereview.com/352003/TIS1.pdf

Rockin' link man, thanks. I would love to get a permit for one of those

. Imagine someone trying to mug you and you pull that out and fry his gun to his hand.. heh.

THIS is what I am talking about.. how sci-fi is becoming Sci-FACT so fast...

BTW, this is a great thread. I think it does matter how we understand this tech.. it's interesting, very much so.

Terik · 2003-04-10, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by Hellsfire123
PSU: Psychotic Suicidal Urges

fits this thread perfectly.

Anyway, to correct what i remember. All beam weapons except Lasher and Antivech have alt fire modes for armor peircing. This not including vechical weapons. Actually there are only three types of light. White light, infrared and ultraviolet. The rest are electromagnetic radiation(I.E. Radio waves, xrays, gamma rays). You can argue that these light paterns can be further broken down by wavelength, but why bother?

You cant add anything to light. Thats just amazingly dumb.

To finish off this post, yes your right that the vanu dont use lasers (NO Z IN LASER FOR CHRISTS SAKE), but id like to direct you back to the picture of the kid running.

I don't spell the word laser with Z, if you check my previous posts there are almost no spelling mistakes.