| | Tech Commentaries - Directed Energy Weapons |
 | | Given that the three primary energy weapons of the Star Trek universe (the blaster, disruptor, and phaser) all direct their energy by the phased energy rectification of nadions, it's somewhat understandable that "phaser" is sometimes used to refer to disruptors and blasters as well. |
 | | Not all settings are available to all weapons of a given size - smaller scale weapons typically do not have the higher settings available to larger ones (in which case, the energy weapon is simply unable to fully utilize the power that it is theoretically capable of). |
 | | As such, a weapon that could generate a visually spectacular destruction of a planet, yet do so with a low enough kinetic energy injection to leave a visibly dense debris field behind to serve as a reminder of the weapon's abilities, would be ideal for the intended mission of terror for the Death Star. |
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