Photonic hardlight is a form of hardlight that does not utilize a substrate material in its creation, using only light and other fields. Photonic hardlight requires the use of a projector which, when given power, can project photonic hardlight in any given shape. When the projector is activated, it releases a controlled wave of photons similar to a hologram, and 'freezes' them in place through the application of various fields. After this, the hardlight's composition is altered to allow it interaction with the higgs field, giving it mass and properties of real matter. The settings for different projections can be fine tweaked, allowing the modification of density, surface tension, and in very expensive projectors, even heat, opacity, or even elasticity.
Photonic hardlight has several advantages. It does not require a substrate material like faux hardlight does, and it is often used in medical instruments because it is always sterilized. When given enough power, it has the potential to be very strong, giving it practical uses in architecture or defensive technologies. However, it also has several drawbacks. Photonic hardlight requires more power the larger its projections are, following an inverse square law. Hardlight is similar to a glass, just completely shattering if even a part of it is fractured. It also requires more power in general than faux hardlight, making it less practical for applications such as handheld weapons outside of small knives.