[kacogg5]

I wasn't really sure where to put this but I thought this looked like the right place to be.

I'm working on a personal project, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I'm trying to make a concept for future lightsabers, and I need to find a way to replicate the heat and light emitted from the blade. I know there's (most likely) nothing anywhere close to the heat known to man yet, but are there any known chemical reactions or even unstable chemical ions that have large outputs of light and/or heat?

[Arkcon]

Humans have had reasonably good results generating heat and light with combustion.  That's probably not what you're looking for, but I expect you're going to be disappointed if you're expecting something else.  If you really want to talk about this:  Why is burning paper, wood or petroleum products to generate heat and light not what you want?  Thinking about the problem in this way will help you make a better question. 

[kacogg5]

Well, I guess fossil fuels/carbon-based fuels would not be practical because in small amounts they would burn themselves out fairly quickly, at least much too quickly for the intended purpose. That's not to mention it would have a large carbon footprint. So I suppose my new question is; is there a material that can burn for long periods of time while at the same time using fuel as efficiently as possible?

[Furanone]

What about a plasma torch used for cutting sheets of metal?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_torch

https://www.google.ca/search?q=plasma+torch&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwji9JTR-rLJAhUIMj4KHX-xCEQQ_AUIBygB&biw=2049&bih=950&dpr=0.67

[kacogg5]

What about a plasma torch used for cutting sheets of metal?

You know that could actually work, with the design I'm using for the blade. I'd just need to cut the torch into a suitable size and extend the plasma jet somehow. With that said, I would also need to find a material that is resistant to the plasma. You see, the way I'm planning this, there will be a long rod extending from the hilt, the blade. Upon powering, the blade will "set itself on fire." I know I've read this somewhere, but I've forgotten. What known metals have high melting points? Would it be enough to take the heat?