How to build a real lightsaber

The Force Awakens is in UK cinemas next week, which should give you enough time to brush up on your physics and make yourself some appropriate kit ...

This piece was originally published on The Conversation.

As even casual Star Wars fans will know, lightsabers are probably the coolest weapon ever to make an appearance on the big screen. Lightsaber fights are so elegant that they are almost hypnotic and, even though not all of us might have a strong enough flow of Force running through our veins, a lightsaber in the right hand is by far the deadliest weapon to be found in the universe.