Blade emitter
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The blade emitter was the part of a lightsaber that actually projected the blade. It consisted of the emitter matrix, which further focused the blade after the crystal with a tightly wrapped magnetic field, and the emitter itself, where the blade actually protruded. The emitter possessed the magnetic ring that created the field that contained the plasma of the blade and arced it back to the lightsaber for reconversion back to electricity.
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[edit] Specifications
Most lightsaber emitters were set in holes that were slightly recessed back into the casing, though flat emitters held level with the end of the casing were not uncommon. Lightsaber emitters had numerous customization options available to aid in combat, specializing towards specific types of lightsaber combat.
[edit] Emitter shrouds
Though not used by all lightsabers, emitter shrouds could help to prevent the wielder of a weapon so equipped from inadvertently touching the blade while in combat, thus injuring themselves. In the case of weapons specialized in Form V lightsaber combat, the shroud designed to designate separate facets of the blade for either offensive or defensive purposes.
Not all shrouds were alike; some, such as the one on Anakin Skywalker's second lightsaber being extensions of the casing and ending with very rounded angles, and others, such as the one on Darth Vader's lightsaber, being beveled and angular, as well as separate from the casing. In some cases, lightsabers were known to be equipped with double-shrouds, such as Ahsoka Tano's or Bastila Shan's weapons.
Some lightsabers even featured "triple" shrouds, such as Darth Malak’s hilt, the third shroud being an exterior plate perpendicular to the double set.
[edit] Emitter guards
Emitter guards were an early innovation in lightsabers, seeing use as early as 4,000 BBY . Like the emitter shroud, they were intended to protect the wielder's hand during combat, preventing him from inadvertently touching his own blade.
As with shrouds, not all guards were alike. Single guards appeared to be the most common, such as the one on Count Dooku’s lightsaber. However, some lightsabers, such as K’Kruhk’s featured double guards. Some lightsabers even had as many as three or four.
[edit] Combination
Some lightsabers featured an unusual configuration that included both an emitter shroud and a blade guard. It remains unknown what the standard for such a combination emitter is, but the lightsaber of the Sith Lord Baras featured an emitter shroud and a triple-guard assembly.
[edit] Appearances
[edit] Non-canon appearances
- Star Wars Infinities: A New Hope
- Star Wars Infinities: The Empire Strikes Back
- Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars Tales Volume 1
- Star Wars Tales Volume 2
- Star Wars Tales Volume 3
- Star Wars Tales Volume 4
- Star Wars Tales Volume 5
- Star Wars: Visions of the Blade
- Soulcalibur IV
