Polaric ions are particles which can be used as a weapon or as a power source. They are extremely unstable, and can produce temporal effects.

Since the Chaltok IV disaster in 2268, research and use of polaric ions was prohibited in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

In an alternate timeline, when Makull's species' planet was ravaged by an explosion, differentially-charged polaric ions were left over from the detonation. (VOY: "Time and Again")