Field-jacketed

Field-Jacketed (TL10^)

A field-jacketed beam is enclosed in a force field or space-folding effect that prevents interference with atmosphere (or lack of atmosphere, as the case may be). This technology allows ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray lasers to be effective in atmosphere, and charged particle beams, electrolasers, and sonic weapons to work normally in vacuum. Beam weapons that cannot otherwise function underwater also do so at normal efficiency.

At the GM's option, field-jacketing a laser or other beam may make it visible, even in vacuum. This may explain the pretty colors observed in space opera movies!

Field-jacketing can be added to all beam weapons (although some types may not need it). It's a standard superscience space opera effect, and doesn't have to cost anything. A field-jacketed weapon may also be twice as expensive as one without this feature.