Quantum-crystalline armor, also known as layered molecular armor and more informally known as quantum armor, was a defense mechanism designed to be an impenetrable defense. It was thin, light, and could easily withstand any force, regardless of types, magnitude, and/or directions. The armor was made possible by stacking a few layers of atoms as densely as the laws of physics could permit, and laminating them above another thin film that was as strong, but phase shifted, making the armor completely indestructible.
The quantum-crystalline armor was reputed for being the toughest, most durable material in the entire galaxy, capable of surviving blaster-shots, collisions with starships and extreme planetary pressure. Leia Organa Solo even suspects an impact into a sun would do nothing to it.
The only things known to have successfully damaged this material was a superlaser-blast from the Hypermatter-powered Death Star prototype (as it proved when pitted against the Sun Crusher), and a Corusca gem travelling at great speed. It is not known if lightsabers could also damage it (and few things were lightsaber-proof to begin with) as nobody is known to have attempted using a lightsaber on quantum-armor. Ion Disruptors would do nothing to it, like most other things.
Quantum-crystalline was specifically developed for use on the superweapon known as the Sun Crusher by the scientists of the Maw Installation. The armor's strength would allow the Sun Crusher to survive the force of a supernova, which the weapon was designed to trigger.
When they discovered the secret facility in the middle of the Maw Cluster, Han Solo, Kyp Durron, and Chewbacca were detained by the local Imperial authorities. After enlisting the help of the Sun Crusher's designer, Dr. Qwi Xux, they escaped with the Sun Crusher. Solo took the opportunity to test the quantum armor's strength by ramming the Sun Crusher into the Imperial Star Destroyer Hydra's bridge. The Sun Crusher came out the other side, apparently unscathed.
After deciding that such a weapon didn't fit with its principles, the New Republic disposed of the Sun Crusher within the atmosphere of the gas giant Yavin, partly out of believe the extreme pressure will succeed in destroying it, but the material was resistant to this too. Later, under the influence of the spirit of the ancient Sith Lord Exar Kun, Kyp Durron extracted the Sun Crusher from Yavin's atmosphere. The quantum armor had held up to the extreme pressures of the gas giant. Durron then took the Sun Crusher on a murderous rampage. Kyp later claimed that he could have retrieved the Sun Crusher just as easily if it had been disposed of in Yavin's sun instead. The Sun Crusher's armor held strong despite the abuse that it was being put through. However, a Corusca gem traveling at extremely fast speeds within the atmosphere of Yavin managed to put a dent in the armor of the Fast Hand, which was equipped with such armor.
After the incident, Dr. Xux gave the New Republic the Sun Crusher's technical data and other information. The data on quantum-crystalline armor was also used to rebuild the Cathedral of Winds.
- Death Star Designer
- The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels
- The Jedi Academy Sourcebook
- The Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia