Changes: Matter-antimatter reaction assembly

Revision as of 20:20, 16 July 2013

Part of the dilithium articulation frame from a M/ARA

MARA access tube — Access crawlway to the **M/ARA** of a Template:ShipClass starship

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 at an intermix ratio. (TNG: "Coming of Age") The dilithium crystal is used to moderate this reaction. These types of powerplants are a commonly used as warp cores.

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)

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 [[File:dilithiumcrystals.jpg|thumb|Part of the dilithium articulation frame from a M/ARA]]
 [[File:MARA_access_tube.jpg|thumb|Access crawlway to the '''M/ARA''' of a {{ShipClass|Constitution}} [[starship]]]]
-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 at an [[intermix ratio]]. ({{TNG|Coming of Age}}) The [[dilithium crystal]] is used to moderate this reaction.
+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 at an [[intermix ratio]]. ({{TNG|Coming of Age}}) The [[dilithium crystal]] is used to moderate this reaction.  These types of powerplants are a commonly used as [[Warp core|warp cores]].
 The [[dilithium articulation frame]] is housed inside the M/ARA, ({{TNG|Skin of Evil}}) behind the [[dilithium chamber hatch]].  ({{TNG|The Drumhead}})