The concept of harnessing energy as a weapon is as old as the legends of Atlantis, whose scientists were said to have focused sunlight into a beam that could set ships ablaze.

Futurists and science fiction writers in the Technological Age have envisioned a variety of death rays whose power comes from more esoteric sources, including atomic power and crystals.

Malevolent beings as disparate as Marvin the Martian and H.G. Wells' Martians have wielded ray guns to manifest their superiority over Mankind.

With the advances of modern science, beam weapons have become a reality in the form of lasers, particle beams and high-powered microwaves. The effects of such devices, if used, could be as chilling as blinding adversaries to as humane as simply disabling hostile weapons or causing enough temporary physical discomfort to deter an attack.

Considering the course of history, 'humane' beam weapons are not likely to predominate in future wars.