Hyperium

Hyperium was a naturally occurring, green-colored crystalline mineral that was used to create focusing lenses in some turbolaser cannon models and was named for its ability to remain intact on a molecular scale after flying exposed through hyperspace. The mineral naturally occurred in the asteroid fields of the Rachuk sector, where it would go undiscovered until the Clone Wars, during which miners from Commenor began establishing space mines to gather hyperium for use in planetary defenses on their homeworld. Later, the Galactic Empire seized control of these mines, granting some Imperial admirals access to upgrades on their ships' turbolaser cannons. A Rebel fleet eventually destroyed the mines during their many operations in the Rachuk sector, by which point most of the sector's hyperium had been either used in factories or awaiting use aboard these now destroyed mining stations. Smugglers and treasure hunters began scavenging the hyperium and selling it to black market dealers, who sold the materials to crime syndicates to make laser cannons.