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The device being developed by Schlesinger's company, HSV Technologies Inc. of San Diego, will operate similarly to Bitar's, except the electrical charge will be created by an ultraviolet laser beam, rather than plasma. He, too, says the device is designed for non-lethal purposes only.
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This isn't technically correct. The ultraviolet laser beam ionizes the air stream and creates a low-temperature plasma. The electric current (a few milliamps) travels along the path of the ionized air and stuns the subject.
It's pretty cool technology, and would definitely become an amazing tool. Imagine sweeping this device across a rioting crowd, stunning them all in quick succession. The ionized oxygen (ultraviolet lasers ionize air by knocking electrons off of molecules; oxygen requires the least amount of energy) also apparently has a really cool green glow to it.
Another version they're developing will have a range of over 2km, and is designed for anti-vehicular use. I think they should up the amperage and use it to fry incoming missiles and fighter planes.