While science fiction does not necessarily bother to explain how such bizarre yet amazing phenomenon occurs as long as we enjoy the thrill of it, a group of researchers at the University of Leicester went out of their way to investigate if the shields are scientifically feasible.
They discovered that with the help of powerful magnets, the force field used to protect battleships including X-Wing and TIE fighters from the enemies' laser cannon fires and blasters can be recreated. In fact, a Star Wars-like shield already exists here on Earth-the three fourth year physics majors said-in the form of ionosphere.
The upper layer of the Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere is a sheet of plasma that helps in worldwide radio communications by "bouncing off" any radio frequency shot at the atmosphere back to Earth, a principle that is clearly akin to the deflector shields used to protect the Death Star battlestations of the Galactic Empire, with theirs only hundred times more powerful.
Considering this noticeable and long-existing physics, the researchers proposed that a field of super-hot plasma charged with electricity could be used, but a powerful magnetic field must also be engaged to contain the plasma's high energy.
Here comes the best part. Attaining the required magnetic strength is conceivable, the researchers claimed, as chunks of powerful magnets that can produce huge amounts of magnetism are now used in medical technology. However, a gigantic power source is needed to produce an effective force field and that would be quite unworkable for tiny spaceships such as X-Wing.
In the same way the field could deflect the light blasted by the enemies, pilots manning the starfighters blanketed by the proposed shield may not see anything outside-hence, they become blind. Lucky for pilots like Luke Skywalker, he has The Force to guide him. What about the other pilots? There is a remedy, suggested the researchers. Pilots should use an Ultra-Violet camera as ultraviolet rays travel far beyond the normal
The proposed technology, which was published in the Journal of Special Physics Topics, may not be enough to safeguard starfighters in our own galaxy but Alexander Toothie, one of the researchers, said the study can lead to other future discoveries and more feasible technology.
"Another possible application of this principle may be for trapping radiation inside a shell of plasma rather than excluding it. This may be useful for applications that require incredibly high temperature environments, such as experimental fusion reactors," he said.
May the Fourth be with you!
