Kappa Particles are a group of antiparticles equivalent to beta and gamma particles, and other more exotic forms of harmful ionising radiation. Although very fragile and difficult to manufacture, they have extremely useful applications in protection from radiation, as they annihilate on encountering their equivalent radiation particle and produce very little by-products, mostly photons and heat in the form of metastable Vibrons.
When a magnetic bottle of Kappa Particles is added to an Energy Field projector and calibrated correctly, it can provide powerful short-term protection from sources of conventional radiation. Aside from downside of the short duration, in order to provide adequate containment for the Kappa Particle injection, the energy field also requires the application of a charge to project an “inner sheath” to contain the particles lest they disperse into the environment. Once activated, a small percentage of a measure of Kappa Particles are injected into the layer between the outer field and inner sheath, and serves to absorb radiation, annihilating incoming radiation particles in a series of small light flashes, often described as a “sparkle”. A measure of particles lasts some time as only a small amount is consumed in each use, but leakages through gaps in the magnetic seal and ambient radiation will usually consume all of the particles within a few hours.
Kappa Particles are type of Exotic Particle - an Exotic Substance related to Etheric Science. A physrep of some kind of energy containment device can be used to represent up to 10 measures of this substance, but particularly large physreps can hold more.
A measure of Kappa Particles can be applied to an Energy Field to grant it a new, temporary ability. The user of an energy field with Kappa Particles applied can tear 1 Charge to gain total immunity to any RADIATION Conditions or Environments for 5 minutes. This is useful for interaction with highly radioactive phenomena or environments, for short periods. This ability can be used again before the 5 minutes have expired to start another 5 minute period of immunity. Kappa Particles do not lose their protective effect if the Energy Field loses all of its Field Hits, only when the 5 minute period expires.
As with all Exotic Substances, a character with at least 1 rank in the relevant speciality (Etheric Science in this case) can spend 1 minute of appropriate roleplaying to apply 1 measure of Kappa Particles to an item. After this roleplaying, they should unpeel the sticker that represents this substance, stick it to the lammie of the item being powered-up, and record the current date & time on it.
The boost provided by this substance wears off 2 hours after application. Any current period of protection that is active when this 2 hour time limit is reached remain active, but cannot be renewed after this point.