A cutting beam was a beam of directed laser energy which was used to perform a cutting function.

Borg starships were known to have the ability to generate cutting beams of great power, strong enough to slice sections of a starship, or even a planet, open with great precision. In conjunction with the Borg tractor beam, their cutting beams were used to "scoop" pieces of starships or cities for assimilation by Borg drones and collectives. (ENT: "Regeneration"; TNG: "Q Who", "The Best of Both Worlds", "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II")

The USS Melbourne's saucer section was destroyed by a Borg cutting beam at the Battle of Wolf 359.

The USS Saratoga was also hit by a cutting beam, suffering severe damage resulting in a warp core breach. (DS9: "Emissary")

See also Edit

• Cutter beam
• Laser drill
• Laser
• Laser cannon
• Laser weapon

Laser technology
Tools: autosuture • bone-knitting laser • laser beacon • laser drill • laser scalpel • laser scanner • laser torch • laser welder • microscope laser • miniature laser • nanopulse laser • tri-laser connector
Weapons: Artonian laser • cutting beam • laser cannon • laser detonator • laser pistol • pulse laser • x-ray laser
Other: laser fusion initiator • laser micrometer • LIDAR • optic nerve laser welding • laser pulse system