# On the physical (im)possibility of lightsabers

## TL;DR

This paper explores the physics of lightsabers using nonlinear electrodynamics, showing that at extremely high intensities, light blades could behave as solid, but such conditions are highly implausible with current technology.

## Contribution

It introduces a physics-based analysis of lightsabers using ultra intense laser science, challenging the common notion of their impossibility due to their non-solid nature.

## Key findings

- Lightsabers could feel solid at high laser intensities.
- Achieving the necessary intensities requires extremely high energy levels.
- The physical plausibility of lightsabers is limited by current technological constraints.

## Abstract

In this paper, we use a science fiction theme (i.e. the iconic lightsaber from the Star Wars universe) as a pedagogical tool to introduce aspects of nonlinear electrodynamics due to the quantum vacuum to an audience with an undergraduate physics background. In particular, we focus on one major problem with lightsabers that is commonly invoked as an argument to dismiss them as unrealistic: light blades are not solid and thus cannot be used in a duel as normal swords would. Using techniques coming from ultra intense laser science, we show that for high enough laser intensities, two lightsaber blades can `feel' solid to each other. We argue that this aspect of lightsabers is not impossible due to limitations of the laws of physics, but is very implausible due to the high intensities and energy needed for their operation.