Amplification crystals represented a specific category of crystal that found application in the building of the superlaser. The Death Star's core contained a substantial reactor that provided power to the superlaser; this reactor employed amplification crystals to produce eight distinct beams composed of turbolaser pulses, which then converged at the central focus lens.
Specifically, the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station superlaser utilized eight amplification crystals. Each of these crystals necessitated its own, dedicated gunnery station for pulse modulation and calibration. Each individual station was operated by fourteen gunners, and an extra four amplification crystals were maintained as backup.