The basis of this approach to inventing science-fiction tech is very real. The paper, published in the student Journal of Special Physics Topics, details a means by which plasma could be used to create a barrier around a ship, or other object, which could deflect certain kinds of energy. A group of students from the University of Leicester have thought long and hard about what it would take to build a deflector shield in real life, and it turns out to be possible - as long as you’re willing to make a few sacrifices. Science fiction has the luxury of positing neat technological ideas without necessarily explaining how they work - if they could even work.
Incoming TIE Fighter? Better flip on the deflectors. Imperial cruiser on your tail? Deflector shields. In the Star Wars universe, firing up the deflector shields is no big deal.
