Plasma shielding ring

Plasma shielding rings were components within blasters used to create a temporary energy shield around a blaster bolt. This energy shield was essentially as it maintained a blaster bolt's linear shape, prevented exposure to the surrounding air (which would likely cause the plasma bolt to disperse before it even reached its intended target), and ensured that not too little or too much plasma was exiting the blaster unintentionally. The first plasma shielding rings were developed in around 4,000 BBY.