“Set phasers to stun!” From the very first episode and movie through today, Captain Kirk and other Star Trek officers dialed down their weapons to disable rather than disintegrate – at least until the opposition vaporized the first away crew member wearing a red shirt. These particle beam weapons could slice through ship hulls, but when used on humans, it was either stun or vaporize. The U.S. military (and all other militaries of major powers) have developed sonic weapons that stun, and laser weapons that can slice through metal. However, the ability to vaporize with a laser has been an elusive target – until now.