Proof that 8472 planetbusting reaction requires matter?

[JodoForce]

We've heard it many times: the 8472 planet buster weapon relies on a chain reaction, therefore it would have no effect on SW shields. However, an observation that constrains it to be a chain reaction does not constrain that chain reaction to be a chain reaction on matter. One could argue that the chain reaction could be independent on matter (say it releases ZPE or some such) and hence would bring down shields.

Hence the question: is there evidence that the 8472 planet buster chain reaction is dependent on matter?

[HRogge]

If the "chain reaction" would be matter indipendant, it should work in vacuum too. I don't remember any kind of reaction outside the planet...

[JodoForce]

The weapons were used on starships too, although whether in the 8 ship planet-busting configuration (or whatever) or not I'm not sure

[Master of Ossus]

When the weapon was fired, it should have released energy in space along its beam, if the reaction was matter independent. Nothing of the sort happened, and the planet ended up destroyed but space around it did not release energy following the attack.

[JodoForce]

hmm, but there could be a mechanism for releasing the energy only when the beam is interrupted (say, to prevent the beam from destroying the launching platform )

[Master of Ossus]

hmm, but there could be a mechanism for releasing the energy only when the beam is interrupted (say, to prevent the beam from destroying the launching platform )

This is getting increasingly into the "appeal to ignorance" level. There's just no evidence to suggest some sort of reaction like this, and there is evidence to suggest that the reaction is matter-dependent.

[JodoForce]

But the space around the planet was also unaffected... hmm...

Again it seems the matter-dependent reaction hypothesis is more simple

Oh well