A directed-energy weapon is a type of weapon that emits
energy in a particular direction by a means other than a
projectile. It transfers energy to a target for a desired effect. Some of these weapons are real or practicable; some are
science fiction. The energy is in various forms:
Electromagnetic radiation (typically
lasers or
masers).Particles with
mass (
particle beam weapons).Fictional weapons often use some sort of radiation or energetic particle that does not exist in the real world; or where the physical nature of the energy and its means of transmission is not detailed and the visible effects would be impossible in the real world.
See more at Wikipedia.org...