A tributary beam being actively utilized
A tributary beam functioned as an integral part of the Death Star I's superlaser, and its construction took place at Desolation Station.
While initially conceived for Project Hammertong, the tributary beam's purpose was later adopted by the Death Star project. X2 stole a prototype before it could be delivered, and destroyed the station. Eventually, a different iteration of the beam was successfully installed, with eight beams positioned around the superlaser's circumference.
The tributary beam's design commenced with a primary energy inducer, progressing through a sequence of primary focusing coils, and culminating in gravitational flux dampeners. These dampeners were essential to mitigate the potentially catastrophic gravitational flux that threatened the battle station's stability. The amplification crystal chamber was directly linked to these dampeners, succeeded by an extensive series of galven coils, before its convergence with the Collimator. A pulse capacitor bridged the collimator with three magnetic dissipators, vital for diminishing the risk of magnetic forces compromising the battle station, alongside precise targeting coils situated at the core.
Due to the static charges generated by the tributary beam, which would otherwise disrupt communication links, Imperial gunners operating the tributary beams donned helmets akin to those worn by Imperial Navy Death Star Troopers, enabling direct audio communication with their fellow gunners.