It's not the color of your lightsaber that matter

But light is actually a particle, well a particle wave anyway. Now it's been a long time but I'm sure I remember a part of my old physics lesson that says that light is a kind of hybrid physical particl and a wave at the same time....

Also, how can a pearly be used, a pearl isn't a crystal...

Pearls are so cool!! I love their shimmer!!

Anyways, After taking AP physics while a Senior in high school (😎 ) I think that's exactly what it is RC

Bummer post here. Isn't all this just some bogus explanation for the fact that the actual metal rods they used to fight with in the shoot, may have cast the shadow?

Personally, it's kind of interesting, but it's a lot of bogus science. It's a movie guys! Not a science project.

If you want to look into something really interesting, there's a site (don't know the address anymore) which thoroughly goes past all Anakin's injuries. In the X-Ray flash frames in ROTJ when Vader's hit by Palpy's lightning, it shows which parts of his skeleton have been replaced by metal. No, that's real cool and medical-scientifically quite strong. But that is off topic of course.

And I hate to be contrary here but there are some good reasons for thinking that the crystals have nothing to do with the colour of the blade...

A simple piece of coloured filter might just do the trick. 😂

Damn straight!

Mind you, they did go to the trouble of cleaning up the lightsabre shadows for the Special Editions, to make them look better- nor were they removed with the fabulous computer tech in TPM. I am pretty sure the shadow casting is entirely correct, and not just a side-effect of filming.

It might be. So what you're saying is that the blade consists of two beams of light, one brighter than the other?

No. In fact, the 'light' part of the lightsabre is probably just a side effect. There is something solid there, or it wouldn't cast a shadow, nor would it impale an unfortunate Jedi Master. And once there is something solid involved, the role of the crystal in the hilt changes dramatically.

Okay I see. Well I agree that the light effect becomes solid, otherwise sabres couldn't even clash like they do. But plasma? Maybe it has something to do with a very high concentration of light that makes the beam solid.

Yes, a focused beam of light (particle wave) energy that whilst having form and substance has no discernable weight to speak of...

Yes, some sort of hi-tech 'super-light' may fit the bill, but in many ways the whole sabre thing does not look like an optical phenomenon. Here are the theories on sabre design I got from the Australian nuttter who runs that site...

1. Monofilament Cahin (largely discounted)
2. Tightly-focused field (a sort of mini forcefield generator, used offensively)
3. (Deep breath) Arc-fold-back-electromagnetic-waterfall, as suggested by West End Games, to do with magnetic poles.
4. Field-contained substance- lethal cutting stuff held in a forcefield (as we know, forcefields can hold energy, but pass through physical objects)
5. Self-contained substance- The plasma model, as discussed above. Some kind of energy cutting-stuff that can hold a solid form
6. Combination of the two above (a bit weird)
7. "Virtual light produced from a spinning field surface"
A highly complex based-in-physics theory, taking advantage of the light-as-both-particle-and-wave stuff also discussed above. It too uses a 'hi-tech light' reasoning.
8. A conmtained gravitic well. Like havigna portable black hole sword!

This may all sound a bit mad... and it is. But if you like your pseudo-tech, there are plenty of pros and cons for each model.

criminy, I didn't think this topic would take such a turn on the scientific side, sweet Nal Hutta it is only a movie

AH! Someone used the 'it's only a movie' get-out clause! Heretic!

Ok, I'll dump this line if people want, or else I can harp on about it FOREVER...

?? you know, if you can make sense just once, somebody may ne able to understand you

You're an odd person, Merc, you know that? I made a quip about your "it's only a film" comment, and then offered to stop talking about the sabre tech if people thought it was too silly. Was it really that hard to understand?

I'm sorry Ush, it's just that I'm a little on edge right now, I just got robbed last night.

forgive me....please.

Well, hey, no problem. Gee. I hoep you're alright.

Ush, what was this Australian site you keep talking about. I can't find a link to it in this topic anywhere...

I put it in a different topic- the "Art of the Lightsabre" one.

It is www.synicon.com.au/sw/

The man is very observant, and makes loads of good points, but he is also totally insane, and sometimes fixates onto things without much justifcation and rants for hours about them.

And you should see what he has to say about the EU! That's quite a chip on his shoulder!

His lightsabre section is absolutely marvellous, though, and is a must for any fan.