A Sunpod flare was a device of Romulan design. When activated, the flare brought about two different phases in its operation. The first resulted in an electromagnetic burst that was designed to shut down thermal imagers. After which, the second phase activated which initiated an intense burst of light designed to blind individuals in a certain area. Sometime post 2379, a sunpod flare was set off in the Soltoth Caverns during the attempted capture of Ambassador Spock by Cardassian mercenaries. (TOS novel: Captain's Blood)