The antiparticle counterpart to leptons. An energetic field of anti-leptons can cause interference with subspace communications, sometimes preventing them entirely.
Anti-proton
Subatomic particle of antimatter identical to a proton except that it has the opposite spin and electrical charge. Normal protons have a positive charge, but anti-protons have a negative charge. An anti-proton beam can sometimes be used to detect a ship employing a Romulan cloaking device. The main navigational deflector dishes on Federation starships are charged with anti-protons. If a dish so charged were directly hit with phaser fire, the ensuing explosion could destroy half the ship. The decay of anti-protons leaves detectable traces of gamma radiation.
Antimatter
Form of matter where many of the quantum properties of elementary particles (including magnetic moment and electrical charge) are the opposite of "normal matter", but the mass and spin of the particles are identical. For example, a proton has a positive charge, but an anti-proton has a negative charge. When equivalent particles of matter and antimatter are brought together, both particles are annihilated and a considerable amount of energy is released. The controlled annihilation of matter and antimatter is used as the power source for the warp drive systems aboard Federation starships. Because of the highly volatile nature of antimatter, it has to be stored in special magnetic containment vessels, known as antimatter pods, to prevent the antimatter from physically touching the storage vessel or any other part of the ship.
Anyon
Anyon particles can be used to counter chroniton particle contamination.
Baryon
Collective term for the heavy subatomic particles composed of three indivisible elementary particles called quarks. The baryons form a subclass of the hadrons and comprise the nucleons (protons and neutrons) and hyperons. Baryons interact via the strong nuclear force, and are fermions with half integer spin. Baryons build up on starship superstructures as a result of warp travel. Federation starships must therefore periodically undergo baryon sweeps at overhaul facilities such as the Remmler Array to clear them of contamination. The procedure involves a high-frequency plasma field and is fatal to many types of organic life, requiring the complete evacuation of starship personnel.
Berthold rays
Deadly radiation that causes disintegration of carbon-based animal tissue, including humanoid flesh. There is no known treatment for berthold-ray exposure.
Boson
Type of elementary particle whose spin can only take values that are whole numbers or zero. Bosons may be classified as either gauge bosons (carriers of the four fundamental forces) or mesons. All elementary particles are either bosons or fermions. Unlike fermions, more than one boson in a system (such as an atom) can possess the same quantum energy state. Photons, gluons and gravitons are all examples of gauge bosons.
Chroniton
Elementary subatomic particle that transmits temporal quanta. Chroniton particles are associated with a great many temporal phenomena. They are also normally emitted in small quantities by Romulan cloaking technology. Chroniton radiation is deleterious to living tissue, but it is possible to inoculate against its effects. Chroniton particles in the body can be eliminated by exposure to a precisely modulated field of anti-chroniton particles. Chroniton contamination can also be countered by use of an anyon emitter.
Dekyon
Subatomic particle with subspace and temporal properties. Dekyons can travel across a temporal causality loop. A dekyon beam can be used to escape the event horizon of a type-4 quantum singularity.
Delta radiation
Form of hazardous energy. Delta-ray exposure is not always fatal to humanoids, but can be extremely harmful. Delta radiation emitted from a star can interfere with a ship's sensors. Exposure to delta radiation can weaken such metals as viterium.
Electromagnetic force
One of the four fundamental forces of nature, the other three being gravity, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force. The elementary particle that acts as carrier for the electromagnetic force is the photon. Electromagnetic waves are oscillating electric and magnetic fields. The range of possible wavelengths or frequencies which make up the electromagnetic spectrum includes radio waves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays. All these waves travel in discrete packets of energy as photons.
Electron
Stable negatively charged elementary particle; it is a constituent of all atoms, and a member of the class of particles known as leptons. The electrons in each atom surround the nucleus in groupings called shells. In a neutral atom the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons in the nucleus. This electron structure is responsible for the chemical properties of the atom. The electron carries a charge of 1.602192 x10-19 coulombs, and all electrical charges are multiples of this quantity. It has a mass approximately 1/1836 that of the proton, but no known physical size. The electron is an example of a spin 1/2 fermion.
Exogenic field
Unstable energy field that can exist around a planet when unstable elements are present in the planet's core. Under certain conditions, exogenic fields can cause quantum reactions, producing high levels of hazardous subspace metreon radiation.
Fermion
Type of subatomic particle whose spin can only take values that are half integers, such as ± 1/2 or ± 3/2. Fermions may be classified as leptons, such as the electron, and baryons, such as the proton and neutron. All elementary particles are either fermions or bosons. The exclusion principle, formulated by Earth physicist Wolfgang Pauli in 1925, asserts that no two fermions in the same system (such as an atom) can possess the same set of quantum numbers at the same time.
Gamma radiation
Highly energetic electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths less than 10-10 metres, associated with nuclear processes. Damage to a starship's warp core can sometimes cause it to leak gamma radiation.
Gluon
Gauge boson that carries the strong nuclear force, responsible for binding quarks together to form the strongly interacting subatomic particles known as hadrons. There are eight kinds of gluon. Gluons cannot exist in isolation; they are believed to exist in balls ('glueballs') that behave as single particles. Gluons have no mass or charge and have spin 1.
Graviton
Elementary particle that transmits gravitational force. A graviton wave is a travelling energy field of graviton particles and can, if sufficiently powerful, be destructive to any matter in its path. Graviton fields are used in Federation starships by such systems as artificial gravity generators, force field generators and tractor beam emitters. Gravimetric distortions can accompany many spatial and temporal phenomena. An inverse graviton field can disrupt the warp field of a ship, preventing it from using warp drive until the field has dispersed. Graviton pulses can be used to prevent the use of a shuttle's transporter system. Coherent graviton pulses can also neutralise tetryon emissions.
Gravity
One of the four fundamental forces of nature, the other three being the electromagnetic force, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force. The gravitational force is the weakest of the four forces, but it acts over much greater distances. The particle that acts as carrier for the gravitational force is the graviton. Gravity acts between any two or more massive bodies, and has a direct effect on the geometry of space-time. The accepted value of the gravitational constant is 6.6720 x10-11 N m2 kg-2.
Hadron
Collective term for all subatomic particles that experience the strong nuclear force. Each is made up of two or three indivisible particles called quarks. The hadrons are grouped into the baryons (protons, neutrons and hyperons) and the mesons (particles with masses between those of electrons and protons).
Higgs boson
Elementary particle that binds to other particles and gives them mass. The Higgs boson was first proposed by Peter Higgs of the University of Edinburgh in 1964 to explain why particles have mass, a fact unaccounted for by previous theories.
Hyperonic radiation
Hazardous form of energy that can be fatal to unadapted humans. Hyperonic radiation can exist in the atmosphere of a class-H planet. It is possible for human colonists to adapt after two generations of exposure. Hyperonic radiation randomises phaser beams and renders sensors and transporters inoperative.
Ionising radiation
Any radiation powerful enough to cause certain atoms to become electrically charged. Large amounts of ionising radiation can interfere with a ship's sensors.
Ionogenic particles
Energy type based on electrically-charged atoms. Ionogenic particles can be used to contain anionic energy, a form of energy composed of quantum-level particles.
Isonucleic residue
Particles found in warp plasma. Plasma with nucleic residue of 20 parts per million is considered to be contaminated.
Kedion
Subatomic particle that can resonate with positrons. A phased kedion pulse can be used to stimulate positronic systems.
Kinoplastic radiation
Amorphous energy associated with subspace phenomena. Kinoplastic radiation can affect a ship's systems if the ship comes into contact with certain kinds of subspace anomaly.
Lepton
Collective term for the light elementary particles that are not affected by the strong nuclear force; they do not interact strongly with other particles or nuclei. The leptons are comprised of the electron, muon, tau, their neutrinos (the electron neutrino, muon neutrino and tau neutrino), plus their six antiparticles. Leptons are fermions with half integer spin.
Meson
Group of unstable subatomic particles made up of a quark/anti-quark pair. It has a mass intermediate between those of the electron and proton, is found in cosmic radiation and is emitted by nuclei under bombardment by very high-energy particles. The mesons form a subclass of the hadrons and include the kaons and pions. Mesons have integer spin (bosons) and are responsible for holding together protons and neutrons in atomic nuclei. Starfleet power reactors are unique in that they create warp eddies with a meson particle emission pattern.
Metaphasic radiation
Energy form associated with subspace phenomena. Under certain conditions, exposure to metaphasic radiation particles can cause cessation or even reversal of biological processes associated with aging in many humanoid species.
Metreon radiation
Form of subspace energy created by certain quantum reactions, such as those caused by an unstable exogenic field. Metreon radiation can cause the dilithium matrix of a starship's warp drive to collapse, resulting in loss of propulsion for the vessel. Exposure to high concentrations of metreon isotopes can result in a fatal form of radiation poisoning called metremia. In 2356, the Haakonian Order deployed a weapon of mass destruction known as a metreon cascade against the civilian population of Rinax, a moon of planet Talax, resulting in the death of more than 300,000 Talaxians.
Muon
Short-lived subatomic particle classified as a lepton. The muon is very similar to the electron, except for its mass which is 207 times greater than that of the electron. It has a half-life of 2 millionths of a second, decaying into electrons and neutrinos. Excessive build-up of muons in the dilithium chamber of a Federation starship's warp drive can lead to a catastrophic explosion.
Nadion
Energetic subatomic particle associated with high-speed interactions within atomic nuclei. Nadion emissions accompany the discharge of a phaser beam. Repeated exposure to high levels of nadion radiation is extremely harmful to organic life. A phaser beam can be used to close some types of temporal rift by creating a nadion particle feedback within it.
Neutrino
Subatomic particle that has no electrical charge and an infinitesimal mass. Neutrinos have spin 1/2, with spin direction always opposing the direction of motion. It senses only gravitational and weak nuclear forces. Three species are known, corresponding to the electron, muon and tau. Literally, "the little one," neutrinos were first detected by Earth scientists in 1956. A major source of neutrinos is the nuclear reactions deep within stars. Statistically, half of all solar neutrinos rotate in one direction and half in the other, except under unusual conditions. Elevated neutrino readings accompany passage of an object through the Bajoran wormhole. Neutrinos are also found in a starship's warp signature. Standard Starfleet tricorders are not equipped to detect neutrinos.
Neutron
One of the three main subatomic particles, the others being the proton and electron. The neutron is a composite particle made up of three quarks, and therefore belongs to the baryon group of the hadrons. Neutrons have a mass roughly equal to that of the proton but have no electrical charge, and occur in the nuclei of all atoms except hydrogen. They contribute to the mass of atoms, but do not affect their chemistry. Outside a nucleus, a free neutron is unstable, decaying with a half-life of 11.6 minutes into a proton, an electron and an antineutrino. Neutrons, like protons, are fermions with spin 1/2, and are held in the nuclei of atoms by the strong nuclear force.
Nucleonic radiation
Hazardous energy normally present within a Federation-style replicator. Nucleonic radiation can cause massive cell mutation in living tissue, and is usually fatal in large doses.
Omega molecule
Short-lived, highly unstable particle believed to be the most powerful substance in the universe. Some cosmologists theorise that Omega existed in nature at the instant of the Big Bang. An Omega molecule would be so energetic that even a few such particles could theoretically power an entire planet. A single Omega molecule was successfully synthesised by Federation scientists in the late 23rd century. The particle remained stable for only a fraction of a second before it exploded, destroying the research station and causing subspace ruptures extending across several light-years, making warp travel in the region impossible. Starfleet Command immediately realised that the use of even a few Omega molecules could effectively end spacefaring civilisation as we know it. Starfleet not only banned research into Omega, but issued the Omega Directive, ordering the destruction of any Omega molecules and the suppression of any knowledge of the particle's existence.
Omicron particles
Rare subatomic particles created by certain types of matter/antimatter reactions. Omicron particles can also be used to produce antimatter.
Photon
The elementary particle or quantum of energy in which light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are emitted. The photon has no charge or mass but possesses both momentum and energy. It is one of the gauge bosons, a particle that cannot be subdivided, and is the carrier of the electromagnetic force, one of the fundamental forces of nature. According to quantum theory, the energy of a photon is related to its frequency. The photon is unique in that the speed of light is a universal constant, and appears the same to all observers regardless of relative motion. No other particle can travel at the speed of light according to current theories.
Polaron
Subatomic particle. Excessive exposure to polaron radiation is fatal to most forms of life. Jem'Hadar attack ships employed ship-mounted phased polaron beam weapons, which could easily penetrate Federation defensive shields, regardless of what frequency nutation was used. Federation vessels, including runabouts, employ polaron scanners in their sensor complement. Polaron scans are also sometimes used by Borg vessels.
Positron
Also known as an anti-electron, the antiparticle counterpart to the electron. Positrons are positively charged. The decay of positrons is used to form sophisticated neural network systems in positronic computing devices. Positronic computing forms the basis of cyberneticist Noonien Soong's android designs, and is also used in replacing damaged portions of a biological brain.
Proton
Positively charged subatomic particle, a constituent of the nucleus of all atoms. It belongs to the baryon subclass of the hadrons, and is held in the nucleus by the strong nuclear force. A proton is extremely long-lived, with a life-span of at least 1032 years. It carries a unit positive charge equal to the negative charge of an electron. Protons are composed of two up quarks and one down quark held together by gluons. The number of protons in the atom of an element is equal to the atomic number of that element.
Quantum Number
One of a set of four numbers that uniquely characterise a particle and its state within a quantum system, e.g. an electron within an atom. The principal quantum number n defines the electron's main energy level. The orbital quantum number l relates to its angular momentum. The magnetic quantum number ml describes the energies of electrons in a magnetic field. The spin quantum number ms gives the spin direction of the electron. The Pauli exclusion principle forbids any two leptons, e.g. electrons, within the same quantum system from possessing the same set of quantum numbers, and therefore gives rise to atomic shell structures.
Quark
The elementary particle that is the fundamental constituent of all hadrons, including protons and neutrons. There are six types, or 'flavours', of quark: up, down, top, bottom, strange and charmed, each of which has three varieties, or 'colours': red, green and blue (the term 'colour' does not mean visual colour). To each quark there is an antiparticle, called an anti-quark. There are many different combinations of quarks, but they almost never occur singularly, always in groupings of two or three. The proton is composed of two up quarks and a down quark, while the neutron is composed of two down quarks and an up quark. Quarks are bound together by gluons and the strong nuclear force.
Spin
The intrinsic angular momentum of a subatomic particle, nucleus, atom or molecule, which continues to exist even when the particle comes to rest. A particle in a specific energy state has a particular spin, just as it has a particular electric charge and mass. According to quantum theory, this is restricted to discrete and indivisible values, specified by a spin quantum number. Because of its spin, a charged particle acts as a small magnet and is affected by magnetic fields.
Strong nuclear force
One of the four fundamental forces of nature, the other three being the electromagnetic force, gravity and the weak nuclear force. It is the strongest of all the forces, acts over only very small distances (within the nucleus of the atom) and is responsible for binding together quarks to form hadrons, and for binding together protons and neutrons in the atomic nucleus. The particle that acts as carrier for the strong nuclear force is the gluon, of which there are eight kinds, each with zero mass and zero charge. The strong nuclear force governs nuclear fission, fusion and alpha decay.
Subnucleonic radiation
Energetic subatomic particles. Subnucleonic radiation is extremely harmful to organic tissue, as well as to many types of equipment found aboard a Federation starship. Mutara-class nebulae are known to contain hazardous levels of subnucleonic radiation.
Tachyon
Subatomic particle that can exist only at faster-than-light speeds. Tachyons have imaginary mass (i.e. m2 less than 0), and therefore cannot travel slower than light, just as many other particles cannot normally exceed the speed of light. Tachyons can be used to detect objects concealed by a Romulan cloaking device. Romulan vessels use tachyon scan sensor technology. A tachyon burst can be used to disperse a temporal field. A tachyon burst fired at a ship's deflector shields can also permit a transporter beam to pass through the shield by forcing the ship's crew to reset the shield harmonics, momentarily allowing a transporter beam to penetrate.
Terikon particle decay
Energy signature used to identify archaeological artifacts.
Tetryon
Subatomic particle that can only exist in subspace and is unstable in normal space. Tetryon particles are present near cloaked vessels. The quantum singularities used to power Romulan warbirds are also known to give off tetryon emissions. The decay of tetryon particles causes an energy phenomenon known as tetryon radiation. Since tetryons can only exist in subspace, the presence of tetryon radiation can be indicative of an intrusion of subspace into normal space, i.e. the formation of a subspace rift. Tetryon plasma emits multiflux gamma radiation, causing it to disrupt subspace. Coherent graviton pulses can neutralise tetryon emissions.
Thermionic radiation
Hazardous energy form. Thermionic radiation is present in the atmosphere of a Y-class planet.
Theta radiation
Hazardous form of ionising energy. Theta radiation is deleterious to humanoids, but in moderate doses its effects are treatable. Arithrazine is prescribed to treat cases of theta-radiation poisoning. Theta radiation can be produced by an Omega molecule.
Verteron
Subatomic particle associated with subspace phenomena. Artificially created verterons allow a vessel on impulse power to pass through the Bajoran wormhole unharmed. Verterons can also block sensor operations. Within wormholes, large concentrations of verterons can form verteron-nodes, which appear as spherical objects. The unstable material, silithium, is highly reactive with verteron particles.
Vertion
Subatomic particle. The only natural source of vertion particles is white dwarf stars. Vertions can also be created by detonating a modified photon torpedo.
W-particle
Elementary subatomic particle responsible for transmitting the weak nuclear force. The W particle is a boson with either positive (W+) or negative (W-) unit electric charge. It decays into an electron or muon plus neutrinos. W particle interference is an unusual phenomenon associated with gaps in normal space. W particle interference can be detected by Federation starship sensor systems.
Weak nuclear force
One of the four fundamental forces of nature, the other three being gravity, the electromagnetic force and the strong nuclear force. It causes radioactive decay and other subatomic reactions. The particles that carry the weak force are called weakons (or intermediate vector bosons) and comprise the positively and negatively charged W particles and the neutral Z particle, all of which are gauge bosons.
Z-particle
Elementary subatomic particle responsible for transmitting the weak nuclear force. The Z particle is an electrically neutral boson and decays into an electron plus positron, or a muon plus anti-muon. Some relatively poor cloaking technologies emit Z particles, allowing them to be detected.
