Matter / Antimatter Reaction Chamber

Matter / Antimatter Reaction Chamber

Component of the warp-drive system. The reaction chamber is the vessel within which matter and antimatter are allowed to intermix in a controlled fashion, resulting in the massive release of energy necessary to power the faster-than-light warp drive. The matter/antimatter reaction is regulated by a dilithium crystal, adn the entire volume is contained by a magnetic containment field to prevent the volatile antimatter from coming into physical contact with the ship's structure.

Voyager's warp core was designed to operate for up to three years without refueling. The reaction chamber was equipped with a compositor that allowed dilithium to be recrystallized.

Antimatter Containment

In warp drive propulsion systems, antimatter containment refers to the use of magnetic seals and confinement fields to prevent antimatter from physically touching the surface of the storage pad or an other part of the ship. Failure of antimatter containment is a catastrophic malfunction, generally resulting in total destruction of the spacecraft.