[Rausch]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

We do? I don't think so.

http://www.space.com/businesstechnol...ma_000724.html

Swirling in and around one another, a plasmas charged particles interact constantly, giving rise to localized attractions or repulsions. External energy splashing against the plasma --- say, from a potentially disabling, concentrated burst of microwaves, or perhaps even from certain varieties of particle-beam weapons fired from military bases on Earth -- could be caught up within the plasmas complex electromagnetic fields to be dissipated completely or deflected into space.

Hotter plasmas, while dense, dont appear immediately practical as a defensive shield because of destructive temperatures and high power requirements. In theory, cold plasmas can be made denser, but like their hotter kin will demand more power. Energy availability and weight --- the larger the required wattage, the heavier the equipment --- would remain thorny issues.

"In theory, a plasma could deflect a particle beam or laser attack," Laroussi says. "It depends on what youre shooting at it and how high you can tune the plasma frequency. That doesnt mean its easy or practically achievable, particularly with a cold plasma. Its a tough requirement to meet at present."