TIE Fighter "solar panels"

[ClaysGhost]

Imaginary, no Ghost theoretical, big different.. If modern Quantum physics is correct, an Axion type particle must exist. Detecting them is difficult cause present method require knowing the mass of Axion, or by a slow and difficult process hand tuning a Microwave cavity, search the frequency range step by step. Present experiment have eliminated just a very small potion of the spectrum, future experiments should have a better chance of finding it. Check out http://dpf2002.velopers.net/talks_pdf/493talk.pdf about the issues addressing
search.

A bit different. There is no experimental evidence for these particles. That quantum physics requires them is a prediction, not evidence for them. Now, they may or may not exist, but that this amount of free energy is wandering about without being detected is really surprising to me, especially since we have a nice magnetic field right here on Earth that should split axions, should it not? What about the galactic magnetic field? What about the magnetic fields around active galactic nuclei? If they're such a difficult thing to detect, why do you think you could get any power from them?

Well there is a good reason why the solar panels are mounted perpendicular to the direction of motion, one of the principle methods of converting Axion to photons would be via the interaction of Axion thru intense magnetic fields (primakoff conversion) this would converse a virtual photon (of the magnetic field) to a real photon. So if the magnetic field is projected at a right angle from the collection panel the Axions coming from the direction of motion of the Tie fighter would shower the panels as the fighter move thru the Axion fields, and both panels can be used

That doesn't appear to conserve momentum. Why doesn't the axion just produce a photon travelling in the same direction as the axion was?

This has a major advantage over the panels themselves being the collection method. At most a tie fighter would have a collection area of 100 M2. At most, at less than Relativitic Speed the most power generated by collection Axion using Dr Graham formula 3 watts/cm2 times × Bx G2 would at most give you 120 kilowatts with such a small collection area. If the Magnetic fields collected the Axion we can extend the surface area into the range of Kilometer increase the power collect into the TW range. No matter direction the Tie fighter moved there would be Axions to convert. If travel in the direction of the Sun, the Flux would go up, due to Axion emitted from Sun. If the Fighter near Relativistic Velocity the Energy collection go up also.

The magnetic field will eat power, and again, I'm not sure why you expect the photon to be emitted towards the panel.

[Connor MacLeod]

This debate looks pretty well over. The radiator panels clearly are not designed to power the TIE fighter, even as a secondary role.

http://www.theforce.net/swtc/tie.html#wings2

"A solar-powered TIE would be at a great disadvantage if it was deployed in the outer reaches of a system or in deep space. At most, any solar power collected through the radiators is supplementary to the onboard reactors. Perhaps it is enough to augment the power to cockpit instrumentation and other peripheral processes. At most, solar power could be used for ignition when the fusion reactors are cold-started. They might barely provide enough power to charge up a small, low-temperature electrode fusion device, which might in turn help to initiate the main reactors. (Of course, this would not be the primary justification and function of the wings, but it might account for the popular perception.) "

There's apparently nothing wrong with the solar collection capability as a purely secondary function. It only becomes a problem in that the energy it provides AS the only method of acquiring power (or as a significant one) because of the known power requirements for said TIE.

[ClaysGhost]

What sort of fusion is this?

[Connor MacLeod]

What sort of fusion is this?

Good question. All I can tell you is that one source I have (TIE fighter pocket manual by DWR) calls them "solar ionization reactors." It seems that DWR's ICS is the one that most directly ties the "wings" with drawing solar power (for his purposes, its to power the engnies.) The EGV&V only calls them solar arrays but never says specifically what purpose they are put to. The SWTJ mentions they are used to provide power for reactor start-ups and weapons power, but also indicates they are for blocking sensor scans (damage scans more specifically) and protect agianst enemy weapons fire.) This leads me to wonder if perhaps they might absorb other forms of energy rather than just sunlight (but that they can also draw off sunlight or other forms of energy if present - but this would not be the primary purpose.)

I had another source (I think the TIE pocket manual) mention that they absorb "etheric light" - I dont even know WHAT to make of that.

I'm tempted to pursue the notion of absorbing other forms of energy than just solar though (a cheap form of ray shield perhaps?). This could infer some interesting possibilities. For example, the panels could be meant to serve as a sort of "collector" for energy beamed to the ship remotely (remote power transference from another vessel to replenish its own power supplies). OR they may have properties similar to the microfilament grids on Ssi-ruuk battle droid fighters or Viper Automadon molecular shielding (absorbing energy that hits the target and channeling it for the vessel's own purposes.)

[Isolder74]

Interesting concept but the panel could only serve a secondary power generation role.

[Connor MacLeod]

Interesting concept but the panel could only serve a secondary power generation role.

Didnt I say that in my response to Ossus?