Editing Warp Core (section)

==Warp Core and Associated Components==
Warp core is the common designation for the main energy reactor powering the propulsion system on warp-capable starships. During the 22nd century, warp reactors aboard NX class starships were technically known as the "Gravimetric Field Displacement Manifold". (ENT: "Cold Front")

On Federation starships, the warp core usually consists of a matter/antimatter reaction assembly (M/ARA) utilizing deuterium and antideuterium reacting in a crystal matrix which produces a maximum output of 4,000 teradynes per second. (VOY: "Drone") Lithium crystals were used until sometime between 2265 and 2266 when they were replaced with dilithium crystals. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Mudd's Women")

22nd century warp cores were designed as oblong cylinders connected by pylon conduits directly into the warp nacelles. In the 23rd century, the main warp reaction occurred in a dilithium crystal converter assembly which consisted of two flattened rounded nodules situated directly in front of the warp plasma conduits to the warp engines which were behind a large metal grate. By 2270, most Federation warp cores were redesigned to consist of a large warp core unit in the secondary hull with matter and anti-matter channeling into the core through vertical conduits then the energy directed to the nacelles through a horizontal conduit leading out from the rear of the core. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

:'''''The vertical warp core was never seen in Star Trek: The Original Series (although there was one in TAS in what seemed to be a modification). During this time, main engineering contained two flattened nodules, situated directly in front of a large metal grate, which were shown as key components of the warp drive (likely to be warp plasma conduits to the warp engines). There may have been a warp core below decks but was never seen on screen. The vertical warp core's first appearance was in Star Trek: The Motion Picture and was seen in all subsequent Star Trek productions set after TOS. ''''

As a safety precaution, the core can be physically ejected from the ship should an event such as the catastrophic failure of the containment of the matter-antimatter reaction occur and the crew decides it cannot be corrected. (TOS: "That Which Survives"; TNG: "Cause and Effect")

Antimatter containment is achieved through the use of magnetic fields, which guide and direct the antimatter through the antimatter engine to injector coils, which precisely compresses and streams the antimatter into the form which enters the dilithium articulation frame. Deuterium, stored in the ship or attracted by the Bussard collectors, is funneled in a stream from the opposite deuterium injector. The molecules enter the lattice matrix of the crystallized dilithium, reacting within it and releasing a tuned energy stream in the form of electro-plasma, a highly energetic form of plasma. The electro-plasma is carried by magnetic plasma conduits throughout the power transfer system. In the Federation power transfer grid, this is the electro-plasma distribution network, comprising of EPS conduits and EPS taps. The most energized stream created is the warp plasma, which exits in twin power transfer conduits connected to the warp nacelles. (ENT: "Cold Front", "These Are the Voyages..."; Star Trek: Insurrection)

During the 23rd century, dilithium crystals were also used in Klingon warp reactions to generate energy at sufficient levels to enable warp flight. A difference noticed in the 24th century was that Klingon engines use a tritium intermix (tritium/antitritium) rather than a deuterium intermix. (DS9: "When It Rains...")

On Romulan starships, a different approach is used; an artificial quantum singularity in the warp core is used to harness the energy necessary to power warp flight. (TNG: "Timescape")

In 2369, Quark and Barbo sold defective warp cores to the Tarahongians. (DS9: "The Nagus")

Warp cores on starships leave resonance traces, allowing for the ability to track vessels. (VOY: "Caretaker") 
<center>
<gallery>
Image:NX Main Engineering.jpg|The warp core of an [[NX Class]] starship
Image:Constitution original engineering2.jpg|The warp core of a [[Constitution Class]] starship (2266)
Image:800px-Constitution class refit engineering.jpg|The warp core of a [[Constitution Class]] refit starship (2270s)
Image:800px-Constitution Engineering.jpg|The warp core of a [[Constitution Class]] refit starship (2293)
Image:USS Hathaway warp core.jpg|The warp core of a [[Constellation Class]] starship
Image:Warp core, Enterprise-D.jpg|The warp core of a [[Galaxy Class]] starship
Image:796px-USS Equinox warp core.jpg|The enhanced warp core of a [[Nova Class]] starship
Image:VoyagerWarpCore.jpg|The warp core of an [[Intrepid Class]] starship
Image:Sovereign Warp Core.jpg|The warp core of a [[Sovereign Class]] starship
Image:Delta Flyer warp core.jpg|The warp core of the ''Delta Flyer II'' shuttle
Image:786px-Dderidex-engine core.jpg|The warp core of a D'deridex Class warbird
</gallery>
</center>
===Matter-Antimatter Reaction Assembly===

A matter/antimatter reaction assembly (often known simply as an M/ARA) is a type of energy reactor which is fueled by injectors of matter and antimatter into a central reaction element, creating large amounts of energy when those two materials mutually annihilate each other. Matter and antimatter is injected into the M/ARA in an intermix 1:1 ratio. (TNG: "Coming of Age") The dilithium crystal is used to moderate this reaction.

The dilithium articulation frame is housed inside the M/ARA, (TNG: "Skin of Evil") behind the dilithium chamber hatch. (TNG: "The Drumhead")

The prototype Jem'Hadar battleship had a fatal design flaw; the braces holding together the ship's M/ARA were vulnerable to a specific type of radiation. The crew of the USS Valiant believed they could use this flaw to their advantage when they were plotting the ship's destruction in 2374. (DS9: "Valiant")

:'''''On Federation starships, this type of reactor is often used as a warp core, powering the warp drive. The most common version of this system is fueled by slush or liquified deuterium, and its antimatter counterpart, anti-deuterium. These elements are funneled through magnetic constrictors and combined within a dilithium crystal to create a stream of highly energized electro-plasma which is routed to the warp coils within the vessel's nacelles, creating a warp field. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual)''''' 
===Antimatter Injector===
An antimatter injector is a device in antimatter containment which precisely compresses and streams antimatter into the form which enters the dilithium articulation frame in a starship's warp core. (ENT: "Acquisition")

During the 2150s, Andorian battle cruisers were fitted with antimatter injectors that used variable-compression nozzles. At the time, the Andorians considered the technology as "very sophisticated," and knowledge about them as "rather sensitive." During the Xindi mission, Trip Tucker received an antimatter injector from Shran, as a favor, because, according to Tucker, "one of those injectors would work wonders for our engines." (ENT: "Proving Ground")

In 2374, a lone member of Species 8472 gained access to Main Engineering on the USS Voyager through the antimatter injector port. It attacked the engineering crew, though it did not damage the ship. (VOY: "Prey")

In late 2375, when the USS Defiant was about to leave Deep Space 9 for the Chin'toka system, Colonel Kira Nerys opened the ship's antimatter injector ports. (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil") 
===Dilithium Crystal Chamber===
The dilithium crystal chamber is a component in a starship's warp core that contains the dilithium crystals. (TNG: "Galaxy's Child", "The Drumhead", "Cost of Living")

The dilithium crystal chamber for the USS Enterprise-D was designed at Outpost Seran T-1 on stardate 40052. (TNG: "Booby Trap")

:'''''There are four types of dilithium chamber that have been shown to date. One was that of the NX class starship, though exactly which component of the reactor was the chamber itself was never disclosed.'''''

:'''''The second was used on board the original configuration of the Constitution-class. It was a squat cylinder with a blunt domed top in the center of main engineering. The dilithium crystals were housed in a framework that rose out of one side of the chamber.'''''

:'''''The next was the columnar "swirl" chamber, as shown in the Constitution-class refit and the Intrepid-class. Backstage information, including interviews with Rick Sternbach, indicate that in this model of chamber, the entirety of the column is the reaction chamber, which is lined with a layer of dilithium to moderate the reaction.'''''

:'''''The last type is the familiar "ball" or "hub" chamber, shown throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. '''''
===Dilithium Chamber Hatch===
The dilithium chamber hatch aboard Federation starships is a reinforced plate which fits over the exterior entrance to the matter-antimatter reaction assembly with the dilithium articulation frame immediately behind it.

In 2367, the dilithium chamber hatch aboard the USS Enterprise-D exploded; although sabotage was suspected, a subtle manufacturing flaw in the hatch (replaced at Earth Station McKinley earlier that year) was to blame. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II", "The Drumhead") 
===Dilithium Crystal===

[[Image:Dilithiumcrystals.jpg|Thumb|350px|right|Dilithium Articulation Frame]]
Dilithium, also known as radan is an element, a member of the hypersonic series, mostly occurring as crystalline mineral. It was used in the warp drive systems of many starships. Dilithium regulated the matter/antimatter reaction in a ship's warp core because of its ability to be rendered porous to light-element antimatter when exposed to high temperatures and pressures. It controls the amount of power generated in the reaction chamber, channeling the energy released by mutual annihilation into a stream of electro-plasma.

Dilithium could be found on only a few planets in the galaxy, and was therefore a rare and valuable substance. Notable sources of dilithium included Coridan and Elas in the Federation, as well as Rura Penthe in the Klingon Empire and Remus in the Romulan Star Empire. (TOS: "Journey to Babel", "Elaan of Troyius"; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; DS9: "One Little Ship"; Star Trek Nemesis) It could also be found on Troyius, where it was known as radan, and had a variety of different uses, including jewelry. (TOS: "Elaan of Troyius")

Under certain rare circumstances, dilithium deposits could form in such a way that the crystals grow into perfectly aligned lattices. If enough dilithium is present, it began to form "generator strata". A piezoelectric effect occurred when the crystals took the radiant heat of the planet and converted it into mechanical energy.

This mechanical energy could increase tectonic stresses in a planet's crust to the point where the planet literally tore itself apart. This phenomenon was responsible for the destruction of a number of planets in the Selcundi Drema sector.

One method of detecting the potential presence of dilithium deposits during a geological survey was by studying UV (ultraviolet light) absorption patterns. Certain characteristic patterns tended to indicate the presence of traker deposits, which were commonly formed along with the dilithium ore. An ico-spectrogram could then be run to confirm the ore's presence. (TNG: "Pen Pals")

:'''''The number of planets destroyed in the Selcundi Drema sector by the process described above in that episode suggests that for some reason the region had a much higher "population" of dilithium bearing planets than would otherwise be expected.''''' 

After being sent back in time to 1947, Quark asked US General Rex Denning if dilithium was used as a currency. (DS9: "Little Green Men")

Constitution-class starships continued to use crystallized lithium until the mid-2260s, before switching to dilithium. Housed in a dilithium crystal converter assembly, the crystals were used as a power source as well as a regulator. Dependency on that power meant the starships risked losing the ability to maintain an orbit, let alone use of their warp drive, when a number of dilithium crystals were drained of their power or became fused in their assembly. In some circumstances, crystals could be re-amplified to provide continued service, rather than replaced. (TOS: "Mudd's Women", "The Alternative Factor", "Elaan of Troyius")

One of the reasons why dilithium was so valuable before the late 23rd century was because dilithium gradually decrystalizes during use, and there existed no practical means of inducing recrystallization. However, during a time travel mission to 1986, Spock and Scotty developed a method of recrystallizing dilithium through exposure to gamma radiation.

Decrystalizing dilithium resulted in certain byproducts, including illium-629 and, when used in warp cores, trilithium resin. (TNG: "Pen Pals", "Starship Mine")

By the 2360s, it was possible to recrystallize dilithium while it was still enclosed in the warp core's dilithium articulation frame using a theta-matrix compositor. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; TNG: "Relics")

Dozaria was rich in dilithium, which attracted the Breen to the planet. In 2366, they forced the Ravinok to crash on the planet and put the survivors to work in the dilithium mine. (DS9: "Indiscretion")

In 2372, the USS Voyager discovered a new form of dilithium in the Delta Quadrant that remained stable at much higher reaction rates, allowing a vessel to travel more efficiently at much higher speeds. This dilithium was installed aboard the shuttlecraft Cochrane to test an experimental warp 10 flight. (VOY: "Threshold")

Dukat and Damar were able to trick Captain K'Temang into believing the Groumall was carrying refined dilithium crystals by modifying the Cardassian freighter's subspace transceiver array to emit a false dilithium signal. (DS9: "Return to Grace")

Odo and several members of the Cardassian Rebellion destroyed the Tevak shipyards by sabotaging the dilithium in its storage bunkers. (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")

Lyndsay Ballard said that dilithium extraction was always one of B'Elanna Torres' specialties. (VOY: "Ashes to Ashes") Torres helped Neelix prepare for a mining operation by giving him material to study on dilithium geophysics. (VOY: "Phage")

===Dilithium Articulation Frame===
The dilithium articulation frame holds the dilithium in alignment with the colliding matter/antimatter stream and is housed inside the matter-antimatter reaction assembly. The frame is housed behind the dilithium chamber hatch. (TNG: "The Drumhead")

Doctor Leah Brahms inspected the dilithium articulation frame of the USS Enterprise-D in 2367 and discovered that Geordi La Forge had modified the articulation frame. (TNG: "Galaxy's Child")

The frame suspends the dilithum in the reaction chamber using a field effect to keep the crystal faces in alignment with the matter/antimatter streams. The correct alignment of the crystal faces and planes maximizes the efficiency of the plasma conversion that takes place. By the 2360s, the theta-matrix compositor was integrated with the articulation frame, allowing recrystallization to take place in the warp core with the core online. (TNG: "Relics")