DaveE said:Photons aren't a particle beam (or plasma, ionoized, etc.) because it carries no electrical charge. So you are really asking two separate questions.
I can't imagine a way to create a reverse current in a "particle beam" that isn't basically another "particle beam" weapon firing in the reverse direction. The energy (or voltage) require to create a particle beam is much much larger than what you would find in even the highest voltage power distribution system.
For photons, there may be something similar to what you suggest. I call it "a mirror". A photon beam would be created in a laser. In practice, the people that design high powered lasers are often quite concerned about retro-reflections where the beam is reflected back into the laser resonator cavity. This can cause physical damage since high power lasers are typically operated as close as is practical to the damage thresholds of the materials used. This isn't speculation or science fiction, this is a real problem. Think about a laser to cut metal (like CO2 lasers), metals are typically pretty good reflectors. In many installations steps are taken to deal with accidental retro-reflections with things like optical isolators. Even if you don't actually damage the laser, you can destabilize it and mess up the beam.
This is why IMO, the "star wars" missile defense system with lasers was a stupid idea, doomed to failure. It's easy to defend against light beams with much cheaper defenses, like mirrors and smoke. Theoretically it could work; in practice it is a stupid approach.
The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. Both particle beams and laser beams can exhibit conductive properties, but it depends on various factors such as the type of particles or photons, the medium they are passing through, and the conditions of the experiment.
A conductive particle or laser beam refers to the ability of the particles or photons to transfer electrical charge or energy to other particles or materials. Non-conductive beams do not have this property and do not transfer electrical charge or energy.
The conductivity of a beam can greatly impact its use in experiments. Conductive beams can be used to manipulate and control charged particles, while non-conductive beams are useful for imaging and non-destructive testing.
Yes, it is possible for a beam to exhibit both conductive and non-conductive properties. This can occur when the beam is passing through different mediums or when the conditions of the experiment change.
Conductive beams have a wide range of applications in scientific research, including particle acceleration, plasma physics, and material analysis. They are also used in medical treatments such as cancer therapy and in industrial processes like welding and cutting.