| Forcefields |
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The principle of a RERF - Resonant Electrostatic Repulsion Field - which would probably be normally implemented as a series of particle beams - is quite simple, and it can achieve a configuration which is often described as a forcefield, though many who have talked about forcefields may not have considered exactly how they could work. It is not technically a single "field", although it does employ such concepts.
A forcefield is an area of space of user-defined shape through which it is very difficult for matter to pass (unless its momentum surpasses the repulsion power of the field), although electromagnetic radiation may pass through it freely, so it is quite invisible. In this implementation there is the added advantage that, when moving matter is stopped, it is not just the front of the matter which experiences deceleration, but all of it. This can lead to quicker decelerations, and can theoretically be used in accelerating as well.
When a particle with an electrostatic charge comes into the vacinity of matter which is neutral, the particles of like charge are repelled away from the edge of the matter in question and those of unlike charge are attracted, so creating attraction between the particle and the object. This is electrostatic induction. If the particle is moving at a very high velocity and one immediately follows it with opposite charge, then that particle and the object would repel each other. In practice, several particles of each type may be necessary.
The question is: Is there a point in the frequency of such charge-switching and particle velocity at which the object is always repelled? If this is the case and a very large number of particles are involved, then a forcefield could well be made. (It may be to an extent dependent on the velocity of the approaching object)
A very large amount of energy would be involved in the production of the field; however, it could be set up in most circumstances such that most of this could be reclaimed when the particles have completed their traversal of the area. Compact sources of high-energy particles would also be necessary, and the aiming of the particle beams is also a consideration.
The system could be inefficient to an extent due to the interaction of the particles with any air present (though this may be only initially if it repels the air itself) and, if the particle beams do not have sufficiently high velocity, interaction of particles within the beams. Inefficiencies could produce electromagnetic radiation throughout the field, which could be detected with the correct equipment as an alternative method for placing test matter there and measuring the forces on it.
It should be noted that it would be very difficult for this system to completely seal an area; besides this being so because matter is not continuous, we have been discussing the actions of the particle beams on large objects. Individual molecules not associated with larger structures may not experience the same effects, and these fields may, for example, not be effective in quarantine situations where viruses can escape atmospherically.
They may, however, be a security measure, and although not impenetrable if you have enough energy, any violations could easily be detected with variances in the received particles. Other uses could include strong horizontal fields supporting weight being used as transport, and moving fields being used for other manipulation.
Information formerly supplied by Mad Science Masquerade
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This page was last edited on: June 08, 2000
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