The Aether is a universe of effectively limitless energy, discovered by the Yamatai Star Empire in YE 20. Since then, aether has become the cornerstone of the SARPiverse. As technology grew, aether-powered generators became the primary power source of faster-than-light starships of all major nations, and then in increasingly smaller applications. The use of aether technology is tightly regulated in the Kikyo Sector by restrictions outlined in Yamataian law.
Taken from the thread "Speed of Aether," Wes described aetheric energy this way:
Aether is basically energy and/or an energized matter/anti-matter plasma that starts reacting shortly after it's pulled out of the aether. Aether energy (e.g. whitebeam) moves at light speed, and aether plasma moves, however, fast you can push it with your coil gun, although if you are producing enough aether plasma, you won't have to push because it'll push you (e.g. aether plasma engines).
I always figured aether energy consists of a wide mix of energy types (basically a full EM spectrum) rather than any particular type (e.g. gamma rays).
Think of aether devices as faucets that pierce the dimensional branes and deliver energy on tap. You can get as much energy as you ask for, up until the point your device can't take anymore. The smallest aether generators are about the size of a lunchbox. The equipment used determines the power and efficiency that a device can harness that power.
With a bomb, one opens a bigger channel than a device could possibly handle, causing a brief but devastating dump of energy into regular space-time. Aether grenades exist but are fairly rare. Much more common are starship-fired aether torpedoes, such as the AS-7 or the Ke-Z1.
Aether can also be drawn and expelled out of a ship to provide propulsion, such as with Turbo Aether Plasma Drive and Multi-Stage Aether Drive engines. Shock Aether Plasma Drive engines also exist. (Turbo Aether Plasma Drives are banned from the civilian market because it is also considered an aether weapon.)