Particle beam



A particle beam (sometimes plasma beam, or charged particle beam) is an accelerated stream of charged particles such as electrons and protons, often accelerated towards the speed of light. This is different from more familiar lasers, which are beams of highly-amplified light.

Unlike most ship-based energy weapon systems, which are designed to fire individual pulses of energy, the plasma beam is a narrow, high-intensity beam of superheated plasma. These beams are capable of overloading and penetrating even the most advanced shields and burning through the hulls and internal structures of an enemy vessel with comparative ease, causing heavy damage. If the beam hits a critical area the target can be destroyed relatively easy.

They are powered by the onboard reactors of the vessels, limiting their power distribution to the rest of the ship's systems in order to provide the necessary high energy required so as to fire a single shot.

One advantage of particle beams (and other energy based weapons) is that they do not require ammunition, simplifying logistics, though they require significant amounts of energy in order to cause appropriate amounts of damage.

It is a heavy Directed Energy Weapon, mounted on Ha'taks used by all Goa'uld and apparently is also a known secret between them.

Technology
The plasma beam relies on having a supply of super heated plasma at its disposal. In order to have a steady and efficiently generated supply of plasma most of a ships energy production capabilities are required.

The particle beam, like many plasma weapons, is capable of having in itself a wider variety of energy frequencies, but alternating between each one requires significant adjustments.

All of its energy can be focused into a slicing beam giving it the ability to penetrate the enemy's shields and allowing for the ship's destruction.

The weapon possesses pinpoint-accurate, leaving no residual radiation or damage outside its intended target. A single one can destroy a Ha'tak's shields and deal significant damage to the superstructure. While a second shot could destroy the ship, that result is not guaranteed since the weapon destroys only the areas it comes in contact with and if that doesn't include any department that could create secondary explosions then the ship may survive.