Lightsabre
Lightsabres are close combat weapons used by the Jedi and Sith in Star Wars.
A lightsabre consists of a handle that produces an energy blade when activated. Lightsabres are individually crafted, and the size of the handle varies according to the user, with Yoda's lightsabre hilt being less than 20 cm in length, while Darth Maul's double lightsabre hilt was over 60 cm in length. Similarly, the length of a lightsabre's blade varies depending on the needs of the user.
When activated, the lightsabre blade is rigid and "solid", allowing it to interact with solid objects and other forms of energy without noticeably bending. Lightsabres are capable of cutting through most materials without significant resistance. Dense materials and massive objects, like blast doors[1] respectively, will slow them down, but not stop them completely. Lightsabre blades have not demonstrated any ability to "cut" through energy fields, such as other lightsabre blades or the force fields in the facilities beneath the royal palace at Theed[2]. Lightsabers' blades generate a considerable amount of heat, when used to cut through a blast door in The Phantom menace, they were seen melting the metal. Similarly, there's rarely every any blood, or even reaction to pain from someone cut with a lightsaber, indicating that the heat they generate typically cauterize a wound.
Lightsabres are effective at deflecting other energy weapons, be they lightsabres or blaster bolts. The incredible reflexes needed to block blaster fire, however, mean that only Force users are generally capable of this feat.
Generally, a Jedi's lightsabre will be blue, yellow, or green, but Mace Windu wielded a purple blade. Sith lightsabres are consistently red.
Extended Universe
Cortosis is an exotic material described in EU publications. It can survive prolonged exposure and can sometimes destroy a 'blade' completely. It exists as a plot device to allow melee combat against Jedi that does not require another lightsabre. Phrik is a similar exotic material.
According to secondary sources, the color of a Jedi's lightsabre blade indicates his or her role in the Order.
- Blue: Jedi Guardian - primarily combatants
- Green: Jedi Consular - primarily diplomats
- Yellow: Jedi Sentinel - primarily scouts, explorers, or investigators