Plasma weaponry is a staple of science fiction, but is often objected to on the basis that it expands too readily. There's no way to effectively deliver it to a target without spending a lot of effort of containment.

This is inspired by this question which describes two directed energy weapon systems, with the second one originally labeled plasma, then struck through and labeled ball lightning, silicon vapor theory.

What would be the mechanics of the actual firing? Bullets use a barrel, lasers use lenses, railguns use, well, rails. If I was building an infantry weapon that fires ball lightning, what would the the gun look like? How would it operate?

Plasma weaponry is a staple of science fiction, but is often objected to on the basis that it expands too readily. There's no way to effectively deliver it to a target without spending a lot of effort of containment.

This is inspired by this question which describes two directed energy weapon systems, with the second one originally labeled plasma, then struck through and labeled ball lightning, silicon vapor theory.

The part I'm most interested in is how you'd actually create and throw the ball lightning. Firearms use a chamber and barrel, lasers use a lasing medium and lenses, railguns use capacitors and, well, rails. If I was building an infantry weapon that fires ball lightning, what would its main mechanical parts be?

Plasma weaponry is a staple of science fiction, but is often objected to on the basis that it expands too readily. There's no way to effectively deliver it to a target without spending a lot of effort of containment.

This is inspired by this question which describes two directed energy weapon systems, with the second one originally labeled plasma, then struck through and labeled ball lightning, silicon vapor theory.

What would be the mechanics of the actual firing? Bullets use a barrel, lasers use lenses, railguns use, well, rails. If I was building an infantry weapon that fires ball lightning, what would the the gun look like? How would it operate?

Plasma weaponry is a staple of science fiction, but is often objected to on the basis that it expands too readily. There's no way to effectively deliver it to a target without spending a lot of effort of containment.

This is inspired by this question which describes two directed energy weapon systems, with the second one originally labeled plasma, then struck through and labeled ball lightning, silicon vapor theory.

What would be the mechanics of the actual firing? Bullets use a barrel, lasers use lenses, railguns use, well, rails. If I was building an infantry weapon that fires ball lightning, what would the the gun look like? How would it operate?