A force field, or energy shield, force shield, force bubble, defence shield or deflector shield, is a barrier made of energy, negative energy, dark energy, electromagnetic fields, gravitational fields, electric fields, quantum fields, plasma, particles, radiation, solid light, or pure force. It protects a person, area, or object from attacks or intrusions or even deflects energy attacks back at the attacker, or acts as a containment field for unstable particles.
To contain antimatter, magnetic containment fields are used. These are produced by magnetic constrictor coils in a container or 'core' which concentrates antimatter to the center of the reaction chamber. Matter-antimatter reactions and field integrity have to be continuously monitored to prevent cataclysmic explosions.
Deflector shields are a type of force field that surrounds a spaceship, space station, or planet to protect against enemy attacks or natural hazards. It could also be used inside a ship or habitat to strengthen the structural integrity of its hull. Shields can have unwelcome side-effects such as the prevention of teleportation to and from inside.
Anti-weapon force field[]
The outer layer consists of a supercharged plasma window, shaped into a dome or sphere by electromagnetic fields. This is hot enough to vaporize most incoming metals. A secondary layer underneath contains millions of curved laser beams, producing a high-energy web that captures projectiles fast or powerful enough to bypass the plasma window. A third layer consists of a mesh made from trillions of carbon nanotubes which at this point protects against a majority of bullets, bombs, and projectiles. A fourth layer can be used to protect against lasers. It uses photochromatic particles which change their properties when exposed to laser light, neutralizing most types of energy blasts.
These multilayered force fields can be used in a variety of other situations. Satellites can be fitted with this technology to withstand impacts with other objects.
Other uses:[]
- A barrier with a breathable environment allowing workers to function in areas exposed to the vacuum of space.
- A walkable surface between two points without the necessity of building a bridge.
- An emergency quarantine area to service those afflicted by harmful biological or chemical agents
- A fire extinguisher where oxygen is exhausted by the use of a space confined by a force field thereby starving the fire
- As a security apparatus used to confine or contain a captive
Examples:[]
- In Marvel: Jean Grey is able to use her telekinesis to create a barrier of telekinetic energy that acts as a forcefield by repelling objects. Magneto is able to use his magnetism to manipulate magnetic fields into acting as shields. Invisible Woman is able to become invisible as well as use psionic force to travel and create defensive barriers.
- The Green Lantern Ring is able to create force fields amongst its many powers.
- Deflector shields and force fields in Star Trek.