You only lose ~50% using ablation rather than reflection so it would work fine without a lightsail. Long ago there was discussion of using X-Ray lasers pumped

You only lose ~50% using ablation rather than reflection so it would work fine without a lightsail. Long ago there was discussion of using X-Ray lasers pumped with nukes as well. https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/21/us/star-wars-x-ray-laser-weapon-dies-as-its-final-test-is-canceled.html https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/21/us/star-wars-x-ray-laser-...