Lightsaber

Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi wielding their blue lightsabers.

A lightsaber is a fictional weapon that plays a large role in the movies, games and novels that constitute the Star Wars fictional universe. They are chiefly the weapon of the Jedi, the noble "knights" in the Star Wars stories. They are often, less formally, referred to as "laser swords."

Lightsabers are science fiction versions of their namesake, the sabre, with the curved metal blade replaced by a solid, glowing bar that resembles a tubular fluorescent light bulb, so as to create a flashier version of traditional swordfighting in the Star Wars films. Though lightsabers have most frequently been shown used like ordinary swords, particularly in duels, they are also depicted as being able to penetrate and cut most solid materials with little to no resistance, and to deflect blasts from laser guns.

Star Wars At first, the effect was created by having the actors hold rods covered with highly reflective tape and having high intensity lights pointed in their direction. The effect was not satisfactory, so in post production the effect was augmented through hand-drawn animation (AKA rotoscoping]) over the rods. For episodes V and VI the use of reflective tape was abandoned and the effect was achieved by rotoscoping over carbon stunt rods. For the prequel trilogy, the effect was created through computer animation. Within the fiction of Star Wars, the lightsaber "blade" is explained as being constituted by a very tight loop of highly focused energy]] [[imag:Yoda1.jpg|right|thumb|230px|Jedi Master Yoda wielding his green lightsaber.]]

Lightsabers in the Star Wars Universe

File:MaceLightsaber.jpg

Mace Windu wielding his purple lightsaber.

Using methods from "zor" technology, a blade of pure energy is created. It is unknown how this energy only exists for a specific length to form a saber. The beam can cut through almost anything solid, except another (immaterial) lightsaber blade, the rare mineral cortosis, force-fields of various sorts, an alloy used in Magna Guards' electrostaves called phrik, Sith Swords and superconductors. Mandalorian iron is also known to resist the effects of a lightsaber, and very dense materials, such as heavy armor, have been shown to marginally slow them down. In the New Jedi Order series, the Yuuzhan Vong Vonduun Crab armour is able to repel lightsaber cuts and stabs. Both the Vonduun Crab armour and the Vong Amphistaffs are biologically engineered and able to produce a force field.

Before The Jedi Order was formed and when the Old Republic was forming, the first lightsabers were developed as siege weapons. These required a separate power pack, which was often worn on the back, and later, a belt worn power source. The power sources and components were miniaturized in the construction to create the simple weapon used in the later era and adopted by the recently-formed Jedi Order in the early days of the Old Republic.

Actually, lightsabers are quite simple devices. First, they have absolutely nothing to do with lasers. lightsabers generate a magnetic field (which explains the fixed length and shape) and then shoots plasma into it from the hilt. Plasma is the effect of heating gas to an enormous temperature. Since this plasma is VERY hot (assuming lightsabers are 30,000 degrees Fahrenheit), it will easily 'slice' through almost anything it comes in contact with. The magnetic field prevents it from going all over the place and since the plasma's heat is concentrated, you wouldn't feel it if you were near a lightsaber.

Lightsaber colors

In the original film trilogy, lightsaber blades were blue and, later, green for the Jedi, while red-bladed lightsabers were associated with Dark Jedi Knights or Sith.

The various Expanded Universe (EU) sources, action figures and the prequel films opened up the spectrum of blade colors to include many variations of blue, green and red, as well as purple, orange, silver, turquoise, pink, bronze, yellow, viridian, and possibly white and gold, among others; the full variety and extent of focusing gems, and consequently, of colors, is unknown.

Zack Brown is the only jedi of the movies that is seen with a yellow lightsaber. Yellow, orange, silver, pink, white, gold, and viridian mean that you have no affiliation with the Galactic Empire or the Galactic Republic (Old Republic). While Red, and bronze usually mean that you are afilliated with the Empire. And purple, turquoise, blue, and green mean you are a part of the Republic.

The Expanded Universe has no definitive information relating to the color of a lightsaber and its association with Jedi or Sith positions. For example, the Dark Jedi Sariss used a blue lightsaber. The reason for the smaller variety of colors for lightsaber blades is revealed throughout several forms of media; the Empire destroyed the caves that housed the lightsaber crystals which Jedi used to focus energy and create their blade's unique color. Synthetic crystals were created to replace the natural crystals found in caverns, typically having either a blue or green color. It should be added though that during the Old Republic era, Jedi kept strict traditions that kept most padawans from creating their lightsaber crystals "synthetically" (Either within a furnace, taking a gem and restructuring it via the Force, or a combination of both).

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Darth Sidious ignites his red lightsaber.

Obi-Wan Kenobi primarily wielded a blue-bladed lightsaber, while Mace Windu famously uses a purple-bladed lightsaber. One lightsaber in particular, created by the Jedi student Gantoris, was violet with patterns of rainbow light rippling across its white core.

The color of a lightsaber's blade depends on the crystals used to focus it. Blue-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Guardians; green-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Consulars; yellow-bladed lightsabers are loosely associated with Jedi Sentinels; and red-bladed lightsabers are more closely associated with the Sith and dark Jedi. Note however, that the color of the lightsaber does NOT indicate in absolute the nature of the Jedi. Mace Windu's purple-colored lightsaber in the movie is rumored so that viewers can distinguish Samuel L. Jackson's character in the battle scenes in Attack of the Clones. However, it is known that Samuel Jackson simply chose his lightsaber color himself for he was the first to pick a lightsaber at the start of production on the prequel trilogy. Each Jedi (or Sith) is free to choose whatever hue for their blade they wish or can acquire. Usually the lightsaber crystal will call out to its chosen master during the trials to become a Jedi when the padawan travels to Ilum or Adega. This in part is why some sources claim that Jedi traditionally use Adegan crystals.

Prior to the Battle of Ruusan, Jedi used lightsabers in a vast array of colors. Afterwards, Jedi relied on more common Ilum crystals such as blue and green. During his Knight Trials, Mace Windu braved the rock-encrusted world of Hurikane on the orders of his own Jedi Master to obtain his lightsaber crystal. He encountered the planet's natives and, in a moment of panic, accidently threw them over a cliff. Realizing his mistake, the young Padawan saved the natives. It was from this mission that Mace Windu was given the rare crystals as a gift. In the New Jedi Order Era, Jedi had a wide array of colors such as orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and light blue.

The synthetic red crystals favored by the Sith can create a somewhat more powerful blade than blue or green crystals, but are (generally) not as pure due to their artificial nature and can thus be undesirable as the focus of a lightsaber. The Sith apparently had a large supply of red crystals; they also favored red as a symbol for blood. It was not uncommon for the Sith masters to supply their learners with the synthesized red crystals.

Luke Skywalker constructed his lightsaber, using instructions hidden in Obi-Wan Kenobi's abandoned hut on Tatooine. Instead of using natural crystals however, he synthetically created the focusing gems within a compact molecular furnace, also found inside Kenobi's home. While the intense heat of the kiln molded the base materials that Luke had placed inside, he channeled his Force energies through them, which in turn shaped and modified their internal properties. With this process, a completely functional lightsaber crystal can be created. Darth Maul was known to have created his double-bladed lightsaber in much the same way, but with one major difference. During the forming of the crystals within the furnace, the Sith focused all of his blinding rage, aggression, and malice into the gems. This leads one to believe that it may be possible to mold the alignment of the completed crystal itself through this process.

During the initial editing of ROTJ, Luke's lightsaber was coloured blue in a trailer. However against the desert blue sky environment, the decision was made to change it to green for a better visual effect, hence the birth of the green light saber.

-Zack Brown -Yellow

Star Wars character	Lightsaber color
The Phantom Menace
Darth Maul	Double-bladed Red
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Blue
Qui-Gon Jinn	Green
Adi Gallia (not shown in the movie)	Crimson
Mace Windu (not shown in the movie)	Blue
Plo Koon (not shown in the movie)	Yellow
Yoda (not shown in the movie)	Green
Attack of the Clones
Aayla Secura	Blue
Agen Kolar	Green
Anakin Skywalker	Blue/Green
Barriss Offee	Blue
Bultar Swan	Green
Coleman Trebor	Green
Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus	Red
Joclad Danva	Green/Blue
Ki-Adi-Mundi	Blue
Kit Fisto	Green
Lumas Etima	Blue
Luminara Unduli	Green
Mace Windu	Purple
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Blue
Pablo-Jill	Blue
Plo Koon	Blue
Roth-Del Masona	Blue
Saesee Tiin	Green
Shaak Ti	Blue
Sora Bulq	Blue
Stass Allie	Green
Yoda	Green
Revenge of the Sith
Agen Kolar	Blue
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader	Blue/Red
Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus	Red
General Grievous	Blue (2)/Green (2)
Ki-Adi-Mundi	Blue
Kit Fisto	Green
Mace Windu	Purple
Palpatine/Darth Sidious	Red (2)
Obi-Wan Kenobi	Blue
Saesee Tiin	Green
Yoda	Green
Zett Jukassa	Blue
A New Hope
Darth Vader	Red
Luke Skywalker	Blue
Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi	Blue
The Empire Strikes Back
Darth Vader	Red
Luke Skywalker	Blue
Return of the Jedi
Darth Vader	Red
Luke Skywalker	Green
Expanded Universe
Leia Organa Solo	Ruby
Callista	Topaz
Corran Horn	Silver
Kyp Durron	Purple
Mara Jade Skywalker	Magenta/Blue
Quinlan Vos	Green
Anakin Solo	Purple
Jacen Solo	Green
Jaina Solo	Violet
Lowbacca	Bronze
Raynar Thul	Pewter/Gold
Jedi Knight series (EU)
Jaden Korr	Green/Blue/Yellow/Purple/Orange
Rosh Penin	Yellow/Red
Mara Jade	Purple
Kyle Katarn	Green/Yellow/Blue
Desann	Red
Tavion	Red
Yun	Yellow
Gorc	Red (lightclub)
Pic	Red
Maw	Red
Sariss	Blue
Boc	Purple (x2)
Jerec	Red
Knights of the Old Republic series
Bastila Shan	Double-bladed Yellow
Juhani	Red, blue
Jolee Bindo	Green
Darth Malak	Red
Darth Bandon	Double-bladed Red
Kreia	Green
Darth Nihilus	Red
Visas Marr	Red
Darth Sion	Red

Lightsaber types

The very rare Great Lightsaber, similar to a standard lightsaber, had focusing crystals and a power supply producing a blade up to 3 metres (9.8 feet) in length.

File:Saberhilt4.jpg

Sith Lord Darth Maul's double-bladed lightsaber hilt.

The rare Dual-Phase Lightsaber is any lightsaber constructed to operate at two different blade lengths. Historically, these complex blades were constructed mostly by ancient Jedi and Sith in their many heated wars; the surprise advantage of a blade which could shoot forth several feet or inches was worth the additional difficulty of constructing a lightsaber with several focusing gems, and further outweighed the fact that a lengthy blade was often inferior from a pure fencing perspective. Darth Vader's lightsaber is an example of this, as he has buttons on his hilt allowing him to change the blade length at will. In Dark Apprentice, with the help of the spirit of Exar Kun, Gantoris created such a lightsaber. Similarly, in Splinter of the Mind's Eye, Luke Skywalker adjusts the controls of his saber to produce a short, pencil-thin blade, which he uses to cut through the bolt of a door lock. The NJO Jedi Knight Corran Horn also used one of these; however he tended to keep the shorter blade ignited and the weapon seemed to only have two settings - standard and extended with no fine control over the lengths of either. NOTE: This is a valid example but it should be known that the basics of a "Dual-Phase" Lightsaber are not rare. This type of lightsaber can be achieved by any lightsaber with two or more actively used crystals in the energy loop OR a property granted by a special functioning of the power cell. And its most basic manifestation within the weapon is the ability to alter the length of the "beam", or cutting section. Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber is "Dual-Phase" capable for example.

The Electrum Lightsaber is simply a lightsaber with a hilt forged from gold-like electrum. Mace Windu's lightsaber in Episode II and III is an example; Sidious's lightsaber is also similar. In the Jedi Order, only council members are allowed to have an electrum covered lightsaber. Whether the electrum in the hilt affects the blade's properties or is merely decorative is unknown.

There are also variant lightsabers with shorter handles and blades (known as Short Lightsabers or lightdaggers) that can be wielded as offhand (weaker hand) secondary weapons for Jedi who fight with two lightsabers for the dual-bladed lightsaber combat style Jar'Kai (which is used by Jedi Master Kavar), or as the primary lightsaber of a small Jedi like Yoda.

File:DuelOfTheFates.jpg

Darth Maul, with a double-bladed lightsaber, battles Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo

The Double-Bladed Lightsaber, Saber-Staff or Lightstaff, is a unique variant in which the handle is about three times the length of a standard lightsaber and has two beam emitters; one at each end. The beams can be activated and deactivated independently, allowing for much versatility. This variant was invented by the Dark Lord of the Sith Exar Kun nearly four thousand years before the Battle of Yavin. Kun's lightsaber was notable in that he was able to carefully adjust both its length, from half a meter to one and a half meters, as well as its intensity, allowing the blades' power to vary from that of a deadly blade to an intangible, harmless beam of light. The double-bladed lightsaber proved to be a very popular weapon among the Sith and Dark Jedi of Darth Revan's new Sith Empire. Besides Exar Kun, notable wielders of this weapon include Zez-Kai Ell, Jorak Uln, Uthar Wynn, Darth Bandon, Bastila Shan, Darth Maul, (possibly Jaden Korr), and Azrakel the Dark Warrior. Despite the strength of the double-bladed Lightsaber, the long size of the handle itself seems to be a weakness in battle against another lightsaber-wielding foe, seeing as it was cut in half when Darth Maul used it the duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and was cut in half again in the Dark Horse comic book: Star Wars Resurrection, when the resurrected Lord Maul dueled Darth Vader for the apprenticeship of Darth Sidious. Use of double-bladed lightsabers as primary weapons has been frowned upon by the Jedi because of their aggressive Sith-like nature and usage. Though for most Jedi double-bladed lightsabers are used for training purposes, some Jedi do specialize in their use as weapons; these Jedi seem to be more fallible to the Dark Side of the Force.

Lightwhip

The lightwhip is a rare and exotic weapon used by Githany, Ona Nobis, Kit Fisto and Lady Lumiya. It is crafted out of Kaiburr crystal and Mandalorian iron, but with the ability to flex and move like a leather whip.

Anti-Lightsaber weapons/armor

Cortosis ore was used to make shields and swords that could withstand the attack of a lightsaber. In the expanded universe, it is explained in the books and comics that when a lightsaber blade comes in contact with cortosis ore, the blade malfunctions and it must be reset to be used properly. In the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic I and II games, there are swords with cortosis ore woven into the blades to allow them to be used in combat with lightsabers. This is contradictory to the previous explanation of cortosis ore, however, as the lightsabers in the games never had to be reset after being used in a fight against a sword that had cortosis ore woven into it.

In the expanded universe material it was established that the first Sith Lords used alchemically altered Sith Swords, as Lightsaber technology had not been developed before the original Dark Jedi were exiled. Sith Swords are able to block a lightsabre blade.

Phrik Alloy can withstand lightsabers to some degree, and was used to create the weapons used by General Grevious's bodyguards in Revenge of the Sith.

The Yuuzhan Vong in the New Jedi Order books use Biological Technology, some of which can resist a lightsaber.

Lightsaber forms

See also: The seven forms of lightsaber combat

Lightsaber forms are characteristic styles of lightsaber use in battle. Unlike real-world martial arts forms, which are primarily training routines, lightsaber forms are more akin to different theories and methods of fencing. There are seven named forms of described so far:

Form I Shii-Cho - The basic and most simplistic form, first form taught to younglings. (Known User: Kit Fisto)
Form II Makashi - Most advantageous in Lightsaber vs Lightsaber dueling. Elegant, effective and deadly. Few Jedi use it due to the relative rarity of this type of combat. (Known Users: Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus, Exar Kun)
Form III Soresu - Form which strongly emphasizes on defense and blaster fire deflection. Used by Jedi beset by multiple blaster-wielding opponents to defend themselves from incoming fire. (Known Users: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli)
Form IV Ataru - Acrobatic form, emphasizing agility, relatively agressive and tends to open defense. (Known Users: Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi)
Form V Shien / Djem So- Takes some of the defensive powers from Form III and channels them to offensive powers. Form V users can use the lightsaber to deflect blaster bolts back at attackers. (Known Users: Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Plo Koon, Aayla Secura)
Form VI Niman - Diplomatic form, used by many Jedi in the period when Chancellor Palpatine was in power. Very well rounded, but does not excel anywhere. Note that all Jedi who practice Niman were killed in the battle on Geonosis. Often used as a basis for dual lightsaber styles. (Known User: Coleman Trebor)
Form VII Juyo / Vaapad - Named after the multi tailed, lightning fast Vaapad of Sarapin. It is the hardest to learn and most dangerous form, overwhelming and unpredictable. Closely associated with the dark side. (Known Users: Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, Sora Bulq, Darth Maul, Quinlan Vos <Incomplete Training>)

The seven forms are introduced by Attack of the Clones The Visual Dictionary and Star Wars Insider #62. The names of these forms are from the computer/video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, and was further developed through Expanded Universe comic books and novels.

It is reasonable that the Jedi and the Sith have developed other combat style besides the legendary seven classic forms.

History

Lightsabers are the principal weapon of the Jedi but are also used by the Sith. After the extermination of the Jedi, lightsabers became rare relics. Their use is usually restricted to the Jedi, partly because it is too dangerous for an unskilled user, partly because, for non-Jedi, blasters are more effective, and partly because some lightsabers get tuned in to their owner's energy and explode when ignited by anyone else. However, lightsabers remain prized by some collectors, and some black market sales do occur.

Lightsaber technology was developed over thousands of years. The first lightsaber models, used thousands of years BBY, had to be connected to an external power source, as a power source small enough to fit in a saber's hilt had not yet been discovered. Often, power sources consisted of a power pack worn on the back and connected to the lightsaber's hilt by a power cord. The technology was vastly improved as smaller lighter power sources were discovered and implemented.

Typically, Jedi are given lightsabers on the first day of training. Jedi Masters emphasize that the lightsaber is a measure of progress for an apprentice as lightsaber techniques take great skill and concentration. It is considered a final test for a Jedi student to be able to construct his own lightsaber. According to a Star Wars novel, the construction takes place in a cave on Ilum. The padawan then goes in by himself and will only come back out when he has made a lightsaber (though in the Clone Wars micro-series, the padawan and master go into the caves).

Luminara Unduli:

The crystal is the heart of the blade.

The heart is the crystal of the Jedi.

The Jedi is the crystal of the Force.

The Force is the blade of the heart.

All are intertwined:

The crystal, The blade, The Jedi.

You are one.

- Speech made during lightsaber construction ceremony

Star Wars: Clone Wars - Cartoon Network

When younglings begin their training at the academy, they are issued lightsabers in order to learn their basic use. After a youngling has been chosen to train under a master, he/she must design and build his/her first lightsaber. Padawans usually base their designs on their masters' lightsabers; Obi-wan created his lightsaber from The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones with similarities to that of Qui-Gon Jinn and his friend Quinlan Vos. Jedi will use this design until they are given the rank of master, when they will create their own unique lightsaber; Obi-wan redesigned his lightsaber in Revenge of the Sith, and although many believe that Mace Windu remade his between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, he actually just got it back from Eeth Koth in a ritual involving two masters exchanging lightsabers in order to get to know each other better.

Training

A deviation by the Jedi Order from standard lightsabers, the training lightsabers helped train apprentices in the use of a standard lightsaber. Training lightsabers are similar to a standard lightsaber. However, the power is greatly diminished and the size is reduced, the latter being similar to Yoda's lightsaber. Training sabers are usually white in color. Training lightsabers are used in combat education in the Jedi Academy of the Old Republic. While these lightsabers are intended to be non-lethal, contact with the blade is highly painful and can be fatal.

Blade characteristics

The standard blade for a human or human-sized wielder appears to be one meter long (~3 feet) or just above this length, with a diameter of approximately 20-25 millimeters. However, these numbers may vary depending on the wielder's own size and preferences.

The blade is completely round, thus more akin to a rod than a blade, and capable of instantly burning human flesh into a carbonized mass, and melt high density alloys within seconds. The blade does not radiate any heat and only uses energy when it cuts through something. A lightsaber that is merely on uses none of its energy as the power core recharges itself, but consistent use occasionally requires a recharge or replacement of the power core.

Contrary to popular belief, lightsabers DO work in the rain, and can be modified to work underwater. This is seen in the Clone Wars TV show, though Kit Fisto's lightsaber was specially altered to work underwater, and Obi-Wan uses his on Kamino in Episode II.

Further evidence of the lightsaber being used in the rain is seen in the EU game, Jedi Academy. Any droplets of rain hitting the blade give off an audible "hiss" as though they are evaporating.

Construction details

The lightsaber is made up of a short polished metallic cylindrical tube (usually around 30 centimeters) that emits a beam of pure anti-protons that acts as a sword blade. All lightsabers contain some common basic components:

File:Saberhilt2.jpg

Mace Windu's lightsaber.

A handgrip
An activation stud plate, button, switch, or internal Force-activated mechanism
A safety or dead-man's switch
An emitter matrix
A primary focusing crystal (which gives the blade its hue, Adegan/Ilum crystals are most commonly used)
Up to two secondary crystals which produce different effects
A lens assembly (focusing crystals)
A blade-length adjuster (only on Dual-Phase Lightsabers)
A power cell (for the most part, unlimited in power; requires little recharging)
An Energy Gate
A power conduit
A recharge socket (recharges the power cell when the lightsaber is off)
Cycling field energizers
A belt ring (optional)

Lightsabers are powered from the control studs by a circuits channel and focusing crystal found only in nature on the planet Ilum. Before 1,000 BBY, the Jedi also used crystals from the planet Ruusan. This appears to be a matter of tradition rather than necessity, as there are many examples of crystals from elsewhere in the galaxy being used effectively in lightsabers, particularly with the revival of Jedi Order after the downfall of the Empire. Since the Jedi control the supply of suitable crystals, the Sith use synthetic crystals that generate a red blade. Some of the early Sith had other blade colors, but as fallen Jedi they might have re-used the crystals of their old lightsabers. Shadows of the Empire has Luke Skywalker using a synthetic crystal in his lightsaber construction. Green blades can also be created from Corusca Gems from the gaseous planet of Yavin (Jacen Solo used a Corusca gem for his lightsaber) or any green-hued crystal capable of withstanding the strains of having so much power flow through them. This is true of other hues, as well. Natural crystals are usually preferred to synthetic, as there have been instances of synthetic crystals failing at unfortunate times, as happened to Corran Horn in I, Jedi.

The Dual-Phase Lightsaber used crystals that handle differing power level requirements. These are wired to the diatium power cell, which acts like an energy source for the lightsaber. The hilt of this lightsaber rotates in such a way that it aligns the crystals, which doubles the length of the lightsaber and changes the color. Users of this lightsaber type include Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Micah Giiett, Gantoris, and Corran Horn.

When Anakin created his lightsaber, he did so in a trance-like state and built it for maximum power.

A Double-Bladed Lightsaber or Lightstaff is essentially two lightsabers in a single oversized hilt. It is a very difficult weapon to handle, but extremely dangerous in the hands of a master. Notable users of double-bladed lightsabers are the Sith Lord Exar Kun and Sith apprentice Darth Maul, and only two Jedi have wielded the weapon: Padawan Bastila Shan and Jedi Master Zez-Kai Ell. Kun's lightsaber was both double-bladed and dual-phase.

Darth Maul was able to create his double-bladed lightsaber from the instructions in a Sith holocron left by Exar Kun.

When the activator is pushed, internal power cells create photoelectric energy and the blade is focused from the crystal. A tight beam of anti-protons appears on command, which is focused through one, two, or three multi-faceted crystals. The activation button energizes the weapon forming a positively charged shaft of coherent packets of anti-proton energy about a meter long. The anti-protons are attracted back to the saber hilt by a negatively charged, high-energy flux aperture. The anti-proton packets are recycled to create the glowing blade by a power cell superconductor. The saber hums and scintillates with a distinct sound and has a shimmering blade. The entire functioning processes are completely contained and self-regenerative. Lightsabers lose little power (and only when they come in contact with other objects), and thus can last almost indefinitely.

The typical design of the hilt is generally a straight tube. Count Dooku however, preferred a curved hilt, better suited for his Makashi dueling style (similar to fencing).

Also, according to the EU novel I, Jedi, there were myths at one point that the lightsaber was powered by the Jedi's connection to the Force. However, records preserved by Corran Horn's grandfather Rostek Horn indicate that the Force is only used at the end of construction. Once all the pieces are assembled, the Jedi uses the Force to meld them on a molecular or lower level, permitting unheard-of energy efficiency. This efficiency is what allows the blades to remain lit and active for long periods of time. The only real energy drain is when the blade comes into contact with something.

Sometimes certain events necessitated a change in a Jedi's preferred weapon. A Jedi would modify the lightsaber or construct a new one to suit the demands of the situation at hand, such as with Mace Windu and his lightsaber after the Battle of Naboo. In addition, in Knights of the Old Republic, the sabers can be improved with the installation of certain crystals, lens, emitters and power cells.

Template:Spoiler In the New Jedi Order series, Anakin Solo rebuilds his lightsaber using a Yuuzhan Vong crystalline lifeform known as a lambent that he personally attuned, meaning, he tuned it to respond to conscious will. With the lambent emplaced as the primary focusing medium of the lightsaber, Anakin was finally able to marginally detect the presence of the otherwise Force-dead Vong. Though not as effective as true Force-sense, this "Vongsense" was still sufficient to do combat with the Vong who, until then, were able to meet Jedi on a level playing field due to being "absent" from the Force. Template:Endspoiler

Concordance of Fealty

File:Concordance of Fealty- A Jedi Tradition.jpg

"Master Eeth Koth, I have something to return to you. It is a product of your own hands, which you once entrusted to mine. In returning this lightsaber, I return your trust." — Mace Windu

The Jedi tradition of entrusting one's lightsaber to a fellow member of the order is called the Concordance of Fealty. This exchange represents a bond between companions of the Force and imparts a sense of support in battle. A Jedi is graced by such a gesture from a respected friend.

(The real-world explanation for this development was to solve a problem. For Episode I, publicity information and images showed Samuel L. Jackson's Mace Windu with a different lightsaber than the one he had in the film itself. As Star Wars fans are notorious about spotting discrepancies like this, a back-story, or retcon, was created.)

Lightsaber effects in the movies

The original film prop hilts were constructed from old camera-flash battery packs. The 'switched-on' sword props were designed with the intention of creating an 'in-camera' glowing effect. The 'blade' was three-sided and coated with a retroreflector array -- the same sort used for highway signs. A lamp was positioned to the side of the taking camera and reflected towards the subject through 45-degree angled glass so that the sword would appear to glow from the camera's point-of-view. A motor in the hilt caused the blade to spin so that a reflective surface was always presented directly to the camera. This also created the familiar 'flickering' effect. Ultimately, this process yielded unsatisfactory results and animation was employed to enhance the brightness of the sabers. It was at this point that the artistic decision was made to assign different colors to the blades.

For The Empire Strikes Back, the lightsaber-blade props were simple white rods and the glow effect was achieved entirely through animation (a special kind of animation called rotoscoping in which animation is drawn over live footage to maintain precision).

For Return of the Jedi and the later movies, the hilts were custom machined from aluminum. In place of the glowing blade, carbon rods were used as blade reference during fight scenes. In the first two prequel films, they upgraded to resin "stunt" handles and aluminum tubes. For the final film of the Star Wars saga, Revenge of the Sith, the aluminum was replaced by a carbon-fiber blend specifically manufactured for the production. These props had to be reinforced, because during the early stages of these props' use, they would often snap from the impact when the actors used them to film combat sequences. The filming of one lightsaber sequence, such as the final Obi-wan/Anakin duel on Mustafar in Episode III, could take several months, because each actor had to memorize a complex sequence of 1000+ moves and execute them perfectly.

In the original trilogy, the 'glow' effect was hand-drawn animation superimposed on the film, using the prop as a guide. In the later prequel movies, the blades were created digitally. Many have commented that the lightsabers in the DVD release look worse than the original - blaming the advanced remastering algorithm used to prepare the films for a digital release. Luke's saber on board the Millennium Falcon in episode IV was for most of the scene not colored at all and remained white; however, in a true special effects gaffe, in a short shot where it was colored it was green rather than the bluish color it had earlier in the movie.

In some circumstances, the props cause a goof: they cast their shadow on floor, while the energy 'blade' shouldn't.

It is interesting to note that along with the shadows goof, there is poor lighting throughout the Star Wars saga in regard to the light the sabers themselves cast. More often than not, the only time light is cast across a face as the saber comes towards it is when that face is of a digital character, such as Yoda in Episodes II and III. Usually when a saber passes by a human figure there is very little glow cast across the figure or face. One major exception to this is in Episode II. During the Dooku/Skywalker fight, the actors shot close-ups while holding, esentially, neon tubes colored appropriately for their blades. This was not done to contradict anything previously stated, but was done for purely dramatic effect.

Creators of fan films have used various techniques for creating the coveted "lightsaber effect," most of which involve programs such as AlamDV, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Photoshop, MainVision, The GIMP, or Blender.

The characteristic sound is added later by the sound effects team, but Ewan McGregor mouthed his own lightsaber noises before being asked to "leave it to the professionals" when filming The Phantom Menace. Liam Neeson and Hayden Christensen did the same. The characteristic lightsaber sound is a combination of a film projector's light and interference caused by a television on an unshielded audio cable.

When the prequel trilogy began filming, George Lucas said that all Jedi would have bright blue, green, or similarly-colored lightsaber blades, not only to differentiate themselves from the Sith, but also to give them their own visual identity. Whenever there were flashes of blaster fire or explosions around, the color of a Jedi's lightsaber would shine through. When Samuel L. Jackson signed on to play Jedi Master Mace Windu, he asked George Lucas that his character carry a purple-colored lightsaber (This is not for any effect or to make Mace seem cooler, Sam Jackson just wanted to be able to distiguish himself from the other Jedi in fight scenes).

Arguably one of the most lusted-after props in film history, various toy replicas have been released, ranging from essentially a flashlight with a plastic tube attached, to accurate copies of the original film props, complete with motion-sensitive sound effects and colored blade. Toy lightsabers are consistently the best-selling of all Star Wars related merchandise. However, it appears the beam of pure energy boasted by the original lightsabers will still be the stuff of fiction for some time to come.

Lightsaber-like devices in other contexts

The word Lightsaber has become a type of Genericized trademark for any energy-bladed sword or similar weapons, even if they're not identified as such in other universes. The term Beam Sword/Saber (see below) is also occasionally used.

Manga and anime

In the Gundam series, beam saber and numerous variant (beam shield, beam katana, beam trident, beam boomerang, beam axe and etc.) are all main melee weapons of mobile suits. Sometimes these sabers can also be shooting beams. In essence, this is achieved by contained energized particles (in UC Gundam, "minovsky particles", the same type used for mega particle cannon) in an energy field (in UC Gundam the I-field, the same field used to block beam attacks). Thus, this came to be the other reason why beam sabers cannot slash another beam sabers, as the beam had essentially hit an anti-beam field.
In the Tenchi Muyo! series, the main protagonist, Tenchi Masaki, comes into possession of the Tenchi-ken ('Sword Tenchi' in the English language version), a sword hilt with an extendable energy blade. Also few other characters the characters Ryoko, and Kagato, and (As well as Washu Hakubi in the OVA storyline) are capable of producing generating similar energy blades from their hands. These blades have the same activation sound effect as Star Wars lightsabers. It should be noted that the Tenchi-ken in the Second TV series, Shin Tenchi Muyo! (Tenchi in Tokyo in the English version) has of a more of a resemblance to a Crystal Sword than a Lightsaber.
In the OVA Dirty Pair Flash, Yuri utilizes an energy sword with a retractable blade (which occasionally runs out of power due to its utilizing a battery-like power cartridge) as her weapon of choice.
In the Naruto series, the ninja Rokushou Aoi utilizes the Raijin no Ken (Thunder God Sword) which has a hilt shaped like a Kongōshō and has an extendible energy blade. In addition, the blade has a similar hum when swung.
In Slayers, Gourry Gabriev carries a weapon known as the hikari no ken, the "sword of light". A blade made of pure magical energy extends from the silver-colored hilt. The long, metal blade normally attached to the hilt is just camouflage, though it is strong and well-forged enough to serve as an effective weapon.
The eponymous hero of the Ulysses 31 animated series wields a combined laser pistol / energy sword.
In the Yu Yu Hakusho series, Kuwabara has the ability to manifest the Rei-Ken (Translated as Spirit Sword in the english version), a beam of focused Reiki (Translated as Spirit Energy), from his hands. He can manifest either one or two. Also one of the other characters Hiei has also demonstrated this ability on three different occasions as well.
In the OVA Fight! Iczer One, Iczer One and Iczer Two both wield lightsaber type weapons.

Other comics

The Batman villain Firefly sometimes is seen wielding a "Flame saber" which looks and functions like a lightsaber. The only real difference is the blade's fire-based nature.
In Marvel Comics, the Black Knight wields a lightsaber-like sword to replace his ebony blade.
In the webcomic Antihero for Hire, the antihero Crossroad wields an "atomic projection blade". It has similar properties to a light saber, although a somewhat different appearance.

Other literature

In Larry Niven's Known Space series of books, "variable-swords" are mentioned. The variable-sword uses a mono-molecular filament, reinforced by a stasis field that makes it perfectly rigid and able to cut through virtually any material (except another stasis field, and thus the blade of another variable-sword), which is capable of being wound and unwound from the handle in a way similar to a variable-length lightsaber. In the same series of books, characters make use of "flashlight-lasers" as personal side arms, as well as variable-length, variable intensity tools for illumination, cutting and localized heating.
In the Margaret Weis Star of the Guardians series, those of the "Blood Royal" are capable of wielding the "bloodsword", which has a silver handle from which a long blue blade of energy emerges.
In Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, Death and Susan wield a humming sword that can cut through anything, which is reportedly influenced by lightsabers.
In Stephen King's novel Wolves of the Calla, the fifth installment of his Dark Tower series, the titular Wolves carrying with them what the villagers of Calla Bryn Sturgis call "light-sticks". Gunslinger Eddie Dean later notices these were none other than the lightsabers that characters like Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi and Darth Vader wield in the original Star Wars.
In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, elves construct blades that glow in the dark whenever an orc is near. Orcs construct similar blades to warn them of elven presences. The hero Frodo Baggins (and his predecessor Bilbo Baggins) use an elven blade nicknamed "Sting". Links between Tolkien's classic trilogy and the Star Wars films are rumored; both Tolkien's trilogy and Lucas' trilogies mention places called "Endor" (named after a place mentioned in the Bible in Joshua 17:11, I Samuel 28:7 and in Psalm 83:10).
The Bible mentions blades of fire ("flaming sword") used by cherubim guarding the gates to the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:24.
In the book, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, during the battle in the dwarf mountain-city of Tronjheim, Eragon conjures blue fire along his sword, similar to a lightsaber.

Other movies

In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, the knife they use to cut toast with is similar to a small lightsaber. The standard lightsaber sound effect is used in one scene, and the credits reveal the permission granted to use the effect by Lucasfilm/Skywalker Sound.
In Disney's Kim Possible Movie: So The Drama, the ninjas in the opening sequence wield energy swords similar to a lightsaber.
In the Kevin Smith movie Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jay parodies Star Wars when he fights Cock Knocker (played by Mark Hamill) in a "bong saber" battle.
In The Transformers: The Movie, Megatron uses a lightsaber against Optimus Prime during their battle in Autobot City. Also later in the movie Hot Rod uses one against a training droid after they escape from the Decepticons, when Kupp is telling a story to the Dinobots.
In the Star Wars parody Spaceballs there are two Rings of the Schwartz which can emit a lightsaber-like blade.
In Spy Kids, Juni finds a handle in her uncle's drawer, which when activated, creates a lightsaber-like blade.
In Looney Tunes: Back in Action Bugs Bunny uses a lightsaber from a carrot.
In the 1979 Italian sci-fi film Starcrash, starring Christopher Plummer, Marjoe Gortner, David Hasselhoff and Caroline Munro, Gortner's character Akton wields a weapon looking very much like a lightsaber with a turquoise-coloured blade, though the grip has a fairing covering the hand.
In the spacemovie G.O.R.A. the main character uses an orange bladed regular lightsaber in a short scene. This same movie also has a lengthy scene of a character carving a wooden UFO using a lightsaber pocketknife.
In the Benji adventure "Oh Heavenly Dog" (1980) Stuart Germain plays an angel in heaven, who instructs the Chevy Chase character on the effects of mortality, using a lightsaber as a pointer ("We had it before Star Wars").
In the movie Titan A.E., Cale uses a sort of light chainsaw to cut apart a ship's hull.
In the movie Agent Cody Banks, Cody uses a laser pen to cut a barbed wire fence.
In the movie Starchaser: The Legend of Orin, there is an ancient weapon (which is part of the focus of the film) called the Bladeless Sword or simply The Hilt which is a medival-looking, gold-plated hilt that, when used correctly, cuts through anything with an invisible blade. At the end of the movie, Orin simply manifests an energy sword in his hands just by focusing.

Games

Role-playing games and miniature wargames

In the science fiction role-playing game, Alternity, published by TSR, one of the most powerful melee weapons available is the star sword. This weapon creates a magnetic field in the shape of a sword and fills it with white-hot plasma.
In the Dungeons and Dragons 3 and 3.5 role playing table top games, a magical enhancement for bladed weapons called Brilliant energy. The blade of the weapon gives off light like a torch and it can go though nonliving matter, although a Brilliant energy weapon cannot harm undead, constructs and objects. Swords, axes and arrows can be enhanced with this ability but the bows, crossbows and slings themselves cannot.
In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the Necron possess a weapon called a phase blade, which is very similar to a lightsaber.

Computer and video games

In Metroid Prime for GameCube, the villainous Space Pirates use Wrist-Mounted Bayonets, which are similarly activated and extend a blade of energy.
In the Virtual On series, several Virturoids utilize Beam Weapons(Swords, Scythes, and Tonfas). Many of them consist of an energy field around a solid core, but others are pure lightsaber-style weapons. Most of them can also project an energy wave at opponents.
In Deus Ex, the main character, as well as many Men in Black, may use a lightsaber-like weapon called the Dragon's Tooth. The Dragon's Tooth is not actually an energy blade, but rather a three-dimensional mesh created by millions upon millions of nano-bots that continually re-arrange themselves to keep the edge of the blade razor-sharp.
In Gotcha Force for Gamecube, many characters wield beam swords as a form of attack, although they are shaped more like a traditional sword than a lightsaber. However, the character Metal Hero has a light blue sword which is the same as a lightsaber in appearence, coloring, and attack method.
In System Shock and System Shock 2, the main character can use a lightsaber-like weapon called a laser rapier.
Capcom's Mega Man X video game series, Zero wields a lightsaber-like sword called the 'Beam/Z Saber'. X, Sigma, and other characters also wield beam sabers in different installments.
In the Plasma Sword fighting game series made by Capcom, almost all the characters wield a type of a 'plasma' weapon, most of them with a distinct lightsaber glow and a similar hum when swung. These weapons range from swords, rapiers and axes to scythes and claws.
Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. videogame series contains, as an item/weapon, a 'Beam Sword', which also resembles a lightsaber. The 'Beam Sword' had a lightsaber like sound until it was changed to a unique sound for fear of legal action against Nintendo. In the original game, it was a fixed length and was activated indefinitely. In the sequel, Super Smash Bros. Melee, its length depended on the character holding it and the power of the attack being used. The Melee Beam Sword also has a pinkish hue and an electrical sound effect.
In Halo 2, the player can wield a Plasma Energy Sword which was used only by Covenant Elites in Halo: Combat Evolved. Like a lightsaber, the Energy Sword is simply a metallic hilt until activated.
In the game Silent Hill 3, one of the bonus weapons that Heather can find is called a "Beam Saber", essentially a lightsaber with a yellow-green blade.
In The Guardian Legend, the main character (known only as the "Guardian of Earth") can obtain a lightsaber-style powerup (referred to as a "saber-laser") that can remain active as long as there are plenty of power chips available to feed it. Later on in the game, a double-bladed version of this same power-up (known as a "cutter-laser") is available.
In the game Phantasy Star Online, players can find and wield 'Photon Swords' that come in different colors, similar to lightsabers. They use green, blue, pink, red and yellow swords and players can find different varieties of such weapons in different sizes. Double-ended lightsabers are in the game as well. Just about every weapon in the game contains a lightsaber glow somewhere on it, usually at the blade area for melee weapons.
In the game Final Fantasy VI a weapon named "Atma Weapon" may be obtained. It is a blue glowing sword that grows in strength as the wielder grows in strength. In the Hindu epic Bhagavad-Gita, the word "atma" or "atman" refers to soul or one's spirit. A townsperson in the game mentions that the weapon changes depending on the spirit of its wielder. This has led a number of players to conjecture that the Atma Weapon is energy-based, like the lightsaber. In actuality, the name "Atma" is a quirk of the localization, which should actually be "Ultima." In later games, the proper Romanized spelling is used.
In the video game Ico, a lightsaber is hidden as a secret item and is the most powerful weapon available.
In the video game Xenosaga, the E.S. Simeon, a boss in the game uses an attack called "Beam Saber", which looks and sounds like a lightsaber.
In the video game Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, players can wield a double bladed laser sword, which is similar to Darth Maul's lightsaber. A Plasma Whip, similar to the lightwhip, is also available.
Certain video games in Namco's Tales series, including Tales of Symphonia, feature a weapon called the Laser Blade, "a sword made of light using ancient technology."
In the computer game StarCraft, the species of Protoss are capable of focusing their psionic energies to create Psi blades with similar use and appearance as the lightsabers, though the Psi blades are usually mounted on the forearm rather than hand-held. Zeratul and the Dark Templar use beamed swords called Warp Blades.
In the video game Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, Kirby can get a double-bladed sword made of lightning (ala Darth Maul's lightsaber) that makes a sound similar to the sound lightsabers make. He can also use red blade of fire that can be extended and retracted.
In the PlayStation2 game Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, 3 varieties of a weapon called "Light Saber" may be obtained. The colors vary from green, blue, and red depending of the rarity of the weapon. The in-game description of the weapon reads "The force may be with you?". The "ultimate weapon" of the game, the Yoshitsuna, also highly resembles a Lightsaber, but the blade is yellow.
In Final Fantasy VIII for the PlayStation, the main character Squall's ultimate weapon the Lion Heart resembles a cross between his signature gunblade and a Lightsaber.
In Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, a hidden light sword can be found in a secret area. The sword has a yellow sickle blade and inflicts maximum damage to enemies while also draining the stamina of the player-character.
In the Armored Core video games, your Mech (or AC's as they are called) can equip a left handed energy blade, but it is either placed inside the arm (for all the games on the PSX), or attached to the upper forearm (for all games on the PS2).
In the Xbox version of Ninja Gaiden, a plasma saber may be obtained for the second play-through. It is very similar to a lightsaber.
In Tecmo's Dead Or Alive 3 , the boss, Genra, uses a weapon similar to Darth Maul's double bladed saber. Ayane, a character in the game, also has a small light blade weapon.
In the Soul Calibur series, Yunsung's ultimate weapon, the Han Guang, consist of only a hilt and emits an invisible blade of energy.
In Tekken 3, Yoshimitsu (video game character)|Yoshimitsu's]] katana has become a lightsabre-like weapon. Both Yoshimitsu and his "light-katana" also crop up in Anna Kournikova's Smash Court Tennis.
In the computer game Diablo II, there is a unique weapon called "Lightsabre", which is more of a direct rip off,however it has the look of a regular metal sword, not an energy sword. Members of the Paladin class who use this weapon are sometimes jokingly referred to as "Jedi Knights."
In R-Type Final, the transforming humanoid ships, the TL-T2A Neoptolemos and the TL-T2B Hyllos, can wield a "Beam Saber Force" which can wield a deadly pair of energy beams over a wide area.
Square Enix's Einhander had a lightsaber-like weapon simply called "Blade".
The SNES game Run Saber features two humanoid androids that create lightsaber-like weapons out of an energy emanated by their bodies. The male character, Alan, uses the thunder saber, capale of electrocuting enemies, and the female character, Sheena, uses the ice saber, which freezes enemies.
Xemnas in the Kingdom Hearts series uses two "lightsabers" as his main weapons.
In the original Phantasy Star game for the Sega Master System, main hero Alis can purchase a Light Saber as a main weapon.
In Soul Calibur II Todd McFarlane's Necrid use energy weapons from the big orb on his chest that resmebles lightsabers.
In "Dragonball: Budokai 3" the character of Vegetto can mainfest a "Ki no Tsurugi" — (Flash Sword, Spirit Sword, Beam Sword)A blade of pure energy (bright, humming yellow) formed around Vegetto's right hand and 20 feet in length that can cut through almost anything.
In Mortal Kombat Gold Cyrax can wield a blue lighted sword called a "light saber" & in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance Cyrax can also wield the same weapon only this time its is called a "pulse blade".

Lightsabers in reality

Lightsabers, made of immaterial beams of light, collide whereas they should pass right through one another without a sound. Moreover, laser beams propagate in a straight line as long as they do not meet an obstacle, therefore scientifically correct lightsaber blades would cut right though a starship's hull. This would mean that dueling with lightsabers would be like dueling with flashlights, because the blades would pass right through each other and continue to travel until they hit an object, not reflecting back onto themselves.

Instead of a laser-based device, the most believable design for a lightsaber-like device would use plasma confined by a magnetic field. Plasma is a super-heated gas and is also the 4th state of matter, the color and luminosity of which varies depending on the temperature and composition. Plasma could be ionized by a particle beam from a compact particle accelerator; at relativistic energies, the beam would produce its own blue glow along its axis due to Cherenkov radiation.

Keeping a gas in the plasma-state requires considerable energy: 40 kW are necessary for a 4 inch (10 cm) saber at 18,000 °F (10 000 °C). It would be difficult to fit the required generator into the saber's hilt. To control and increase the length of the blade, the plasma would need to be confined within a magnetic field. Although this design would behave like a lightsaber from the Star Wars movies, it is considered foolhardy to confine plasma magnetically. A handful of magnets would disrupt the confinement field, and plasma would spill onto the saber's wielder. Furthermore, the magnetic field would prevent the plasma from performing any cutting action as it would always be shielded from whatever the blade struck by the magnetic field.

Although 2 physicists at MIT have concluded through quantum mechanics that this may be possible.

Force FX Lightsaber

While it is not possible to create a lightsaber in reality, Master Replicas[1] has created a Force FX Lightsaber series, which is a licensed reproduction of several different lightsabers from the Star Wars films. The lightsabers themselves are made with a durable metal hilt with a sturdy polycarbonate blade permanently attached to the hilt. The light effects (for powering-up and powering-down) are produced by a string of 64 super-bright LED's that ignite sequentially inside the blade, and the blade has motion sensors which control different sound effects: power-up, power-down, idle hum, clash, and swing. The sound effects themselves are digitally recorded from the movies. Earlier Force FX sabers used a sheet of electroluminescent film to create the glowing blade, and as such could not simulate the "extending" and "retracting" blade effects.

Current models available for sale:

1. Mace Windu: Episode II, color: Purple [2]

2. Darth Vader: Episode V, color: Red [3]

3. Anakin Skywalker: Episode III, color: blue [4]

4. Luke Skywalker: Episode VI, color: green [5]

Models no longer available for sale:

1. Anakin Skywalker: Episode II, color: blue

2. Luke Skywalker: Episode IV, color: blue

Future models (confirmed by Master Replicas):

1. Darth Maul: Episode I, color: red

2. Obi-Wan Kenobi: Episode III, color: blue

Miscellaneous

Lightsabers cannot be used underwater without significant modifications; Kit Fisto had a specialized lightsaber for underwater use as seen in the Clone Wars cartoon series. Normal Lightsabers can handle rain and light moisture, but total submersion results in short-circuits and possibly damage. This was to be dealt with in Episode I, where Obi-Wan's Lightsaber falls in the water and shorts out, but the scene was cut from the final film. Lightsabers can also be used, should it be necessary, to melt snow. (As described in The Last of The Jedi by Jude Watson when Obi-Wan has to cut through snow when his ship crashes into a snowdrift)

Spelling

A common mistake when spelling "lightsaber" is the british english spelling of sabre. As George Lucas created the word, most fans use the American spelling.

External links

Star Wars: Databank, lightsaberAn Article from the actual Star Wars website.
Bob Brown's How They Work Bob Brown's analysis of the movie canon's evidence of lightsabre operation.
How Lightsabers Work a tongue-in-cheek article on Howstuffworks.com
Lightsabre Simulator Try different Lightsabres from the various Jedi Masters.
Lightsaber: Darth Vader on the MPP Microflash
Luukesabers: Galactic Lightsaber Reference Archive
Lucas' Light Saber Battle, (26 July 2001, E! Online) George Lucas suing Minrad Inc. over copyright of Light Saber name on their laser medical equipment
Lightsaber Sound Effect- Make your own sound effect from household items.
Master Replicas-a dream site for collectors, specializes in making different props from the Star Wars movies including scaled replicas (.45) of lightsabers, Limited Edition lightsabers (those which are recreated down to the last detail), and the Force FX Lightsaber series, which are official reproductions of lightsabers in that they recreate the effects of the lightsabers from the movies.