Phased Plasma Gun

The Phased Plasma Gun (or PPG) is a fictional weapon from the television series Babylon 5. It fires a small charge of superheated helium. This helium plasma retains both its shape and small volume via a residual magnetic field. Upon impact with an object, the magnetic field is dissipated and the heat discharged. PPG bolts cause significant visible distortion as they travel through air.

The PPG is composed only of highly heat-resistant alloys, due to the rapid and extreme heating and cooling that it must endure during regular use. One of these alloys is morbidium. A line in the Babylon 5 episode "Chrysalis" states that it is a metal that is harder than diamond. The electromagnetic firing coil is composed of morbidium, and has the gun's serial number printed on it, so that PPGs are just as traceable as modern guns. PPGs make a distinctive charging sound when they are armed for firing, and they are powered by compact energy sources called energy caps. Two models are most commonly seen in the series: a handgun-type that is the standard EarthForce sidearm, and a more-powerful assault-rifle-type used by security personnel in emergencies.

Even though PPGs are more expensive to produce than normal projectile weapons ("slug-throwers"), they are the standard-issue military sidearm for space-based personnel. While a stray bullet from a normal weapon can puncture the hull of a spacecraft or space station, causing unintended decompression, a PPG cannot penetrate most heavy bulkheads. A PPG shot may, however, burn through some materials. In several episodes, PPG shots were fired through the thin walls of air ducts in order to attack people inside.

In earlier episodes, where few shots were fired, plasma bursts were carefully generated and penetrated their targets. Later in the B5 series, when massive battles were staged, a shift into a lower quality CGI followed and the bursts tended to fade off as opposed to continuing through its target.

The Phased Plasma Gun (or PPG) was available in various configurations. The Standard PPG was seen during the original series. The Assassins PPG was also seen during the original series. And the Crusade Version which was seen in the short lived Babylon 5: Crusade mini series.