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The laser is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation," the basis of various technologies including, but not limited to, the pulsar.
In the 25th century, the de facto hand-weaponry of the Earth Defense Directorate and other known elements of the surrounding universe make use of this technology, although the term "laser" is employed in a reductive and superficial manner, thus acting more as a misnomer.
Thus, laser weaponry is better described as substantive directed energy weapons capable of either stunning, killing, or even vaporizing their targets.
Weapons
Certain creatures, such as the Vorvon, are impervious to directed energy weapons (BR25: "Space Vampire"). Humans who have had their nervous systems modified, such as Marcos Marcilka, are also immune to the stunning effects (BR25: "The Plot to Kill a City, Part I").