[Ultra-Tech] Multi-Mode Laser

[starslayer]

At least on the real world today (which may or may not be applicable when/if weapons grease lasers are ever developed) the actual laser emitter only works on a very specific frequency. Having a device that can do multiple frequencies would mean multiple emitters. Those sperate emitters if they don't have identical spread characteristics would then also need sperate focusing optics. Then if the heatsinks are tightly integrated (likely if they are not using some sort of coolant bath for the emitter) then we are basically telling about a sperate barrel for each frequency. Further if i recall correctly different frequencies have different energy efficiencies which means that each 'barrel will have it's own power management module) with only the frame and power cell remaining static.

Which means as a multi gadget with selectable modes it will be a bulky device that is almost as large and heavy as sperate lasers duct taped together and switching modes will involve actually physically rotating the emitter used into the 'firing' position or having sperate aiming optics for each emitter.

As an interesting aside so long as the capacitors are also duplicated the sticks option should also allow each sperate barrel to fire simultaneously effectively multiplying the rate of fire for the weapon by the number of barrels for one shot then having it be offline for second equal to number of barrels (assuming that power cells are limited in total output and weapons are built to use the maximum output available for continuous fire. If instead power cells have effectively unlimited output say if power cells are advanced capacitors rather then advanced batteries then the downtime would be nil)