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{{at|xx}}
 
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A '''tachyon''' is a [[subatomic particle]] that naturally exists at [[faster-than-light]] velocities, and can often be associated with [[time travel]] or [[temporal anomaly|temporal anomalies]]. Tachyons can exist both naturally, as in the [[tachyon eddy|tachyon eddies]] in the [[Bajoran system]], and can be produced artificially, such as in [[tachyon detection grid]]s and [[temporal transponder]]s. They can also exist as the byproducts of the use of many technologies, such as [[cloaking device]]s and [[transporter]]s. ({{DS9|Explorers|Covenant}}; {{VOY|Future's End, Part II}}; {{film|10}})
+
A '''tachyon''' is a [[subatomic particle]] that naturally exists at [[faster-than-light]] velocities, and can often be associated with [[time travel]] or produced as a byproduct of a [[temporal distortion]]. Tachyons can exist both naturally, as in the [[tachyon eddy|tachyon eddies]] in the [[Bajoran system]], and can be produced artificially, such as in [[tachyon detection grid]]s and [[temporal transponder]]s. They can also exist as the byproducts of the use of many technologies, such as [[cloaking device]]s and [[transporter]]s. ({{DS9|Explorers|Covenant}}; {{VOY|Future's End, Part II|Fury}}; {{film|10}})
   
 
Tachyons can be utilized in a number of ways, including as [[scan]]s, offensive [[weapon]]s, and even as a means of communication. ({{TNG|Redemption II}}; {{VOY|Dreadnought|Pathfinder}})
 
Tachyons can be utilized in a number of ways, including as [[scan]]s, offensive [[weapon]]s, and even as a means of communication. ({{TNG|Redemption II}}; {{VOY|Dreadnought|Pathfinder}})
   
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
 
 
Some of the [[31st century]] [[temporal agent]] [[Daniels (Crewman)|Daniels]]'s equipment produced tachyon radiation. In [[2151]], [[Silik]] detected this radiation aboard the {{EnterpriseNX}}, and deduced that Daniels was on the ship, as ''Enterprise'' did not have any technology which emitted tachyons. ({{ENT|Cold Front}})
 
Some of the [[31st century]] [[temporal agent]] [[Daniels (Crewman)|Daniels]]'s equipment produced tachyon radiation. In [[2151]], [[Silik]] detected this radiation aboard the {{EnterpriseNX}}, and deduced that Daniels was on the ship, as ''Enterprise'' did not have any technology which emitted tachyons. ({{ENT|Cold Front}})
   
In [[2366]], the [[non-corporeal]] species, the [[Calamarain]], used a tachyon field to attack [[Q]], who had been stripped of all of his powers by the [[Q Continuum]] and deposited onboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. ({{TNG|Deja Q}})
+
In [[2366]], the [[non-corporeal]] species, the [[Calamarain]], used a tachyon field to attack [[Q]], who had been stripped of all of his powers by the [[Q Continuum]] and deposited on board the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}. ({{TNG|Deja Q}})
   
 
[[File:Tachyon detection network activated.jpg|thumb|The tachyon detection grid]]
 
[[File:Tachyon detection network activated.jpg|thumb|The tachyon detection grid]]
In [[2367]], [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] instituted a [[tachyon detection grid]] on the [[Klingon]]-[[Romulan]] border, in order to prevent any cloaked Romulan ships from crossing the border undetected while cloaked. This effectively stopped the [[Romulan Empire]]'s covert support for the [[House of Duras]]'s attempts to take control of the [[Klingon Empire]]. [[2373|Six years later]], [[Lieutenant]] [[Tuvok]] suggested initiating a tachyon scan of a [[nebula]] that the {{USS|Voyager}} had encountered in the [[Delta Quadrant]], in an attempt to reveal the presence of any cloaked ships which could be hiding inside. As of [[2375]], the [[Dominion]] began employing [[long-range tachyon scanner]]s to detect cloaked vessels. They were first observed being used by the crew of the Klingon vessel ''[[Ch'Tang]]'', after conducting a [[cavalry raid]] behind enemy lines. ({{TNG|Redemption II}}; {{VOY|Flashback}}; {{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach}})
+
In [[2367]], [[Captain]] [[Jean-Luc Picard]] instituted a [[tachyon detection grid]] on the [[Klingon-Romulan border]], in order to prevent any cloaked Romulan ships from crossing the border undetected while cloaked. This effectively stopped the [[Romulan Empire]]'s covert support for the [[House of Duras]]'s attempts to take control of the [[Klingon Empire]]. [[2373|Six years later]], [[Lieutenant]] [[Tuvok]] suggested initiating a tachyon scan of a [[nebula]] that the {{USS|Voyager}} had encountered in the [[Delta Quadrant]], in an attempt to reveal the presence of any cloaked ships which could be hiding inside. As of [[2375]], the [[Dominion]] began employing [[long-range tachyon scanner]]s to detect cloaked vessels. They were first observed being used by the crew of the Klingon vessel ''[[Ch'Tang]]'', after conducting a [[cavalry raid]] behind enemy lines. ({{TNG|Redemption II}}; {{VOY|Flashback}}; {{DS9|Once More Unto the Breach}})
   
 
In addition, cloaked ships were known to produce detectable tachyon emissions. In [[2372]], the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} produced a tachyon surge when decloaking in front of the ''[[Xhosa]]'', and in [[2373]], when a fleet of [[Romulan warbird]]s decloaked near [[space station|station]] [[Deep Space 9]], they produced a large buildup of tachyons. As of [[2379]], the [[Reman]]s were able to equip the Reman [[Warbird]] ''[[Scimitar]]'' with a cloak which did not have this limitation. ({{DS9|For the Cause|By Inferno's Light}}; {{film|10}})
 
In addition, cloaked ships were known to produce detectable tachyon emissions. In [[2372]], the {{USS|Defiant|2370}} produced a tachyon surge when decloaking in front of the ''[[Xhosa]]'', and in [[2373]], when a fleet of [[Romulan warbird]]s decloaked near [[space station|station]] [[Deep Space 9]], they produced a large buildup of tachyons. As of [[2379]], the [[Reman]]s were able to equip the Reman [[Warbird]] ''[[Scimitar]]'' with a cloak which did not have this limitation. ({{DS9|For the Cause|By Inferno's Light}}; {{film|10}})
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The [[Borg]] utilized tachyon pulses of alternating frequencies to open their [[transwarp conduit]]s. In [[2369]], [[Lieutenant Commander|Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge]], [[chief engineer]] of the ''Enterprise''-D, was able to set up a temporary tachyon matrix in the ship's [[main deflector]] to simulate the pulses that the Borg used, and gain access to a transwarp conduit. [[2374|Five years later]], [[Seven of Nine]] attempted to utilize the same procedure to create a transwarp conduit in an effort to facilitate ''Voyager''{{'}}s return to the [[Alpha Quadrant]], but the tachyons flooded the [[warp core]], threatening a [[warp core breach|breach]]. This forced [[Lieutenant]] [[B'Elanna Torres|Torres]] to eject the core. ({{TNG|Descent}}; {{VOY|Day of Honor}})
 
The [[Borg]] utilized tachyon pulses of alternating frequencies to open their [[transwarp conduit]]s. In [[2369]], [[Lieutenant Commander|Commander]] [[Geordi La Forge]], [[chief engineer]] of the ''Enterprise''-D, was able to set up a temporary tachyon matrix in the ship's [[main deflector]] to simulate the pulses that the Borg used, and gain access to a transwarp conduit. [[2374|Five years later]], [[Seven of Nine]] attempted to utilize the same procedure to create a transwarp conduit in an effort to facilitate ''Voyager''{{'}}s return to the [[Alpha Quadrant]], but the tachyons flooded the [[warp core]], threatening a [[warp core breach|breach]]. This forced [[Lieutenant]] [[B'Elanna Torres|Torres]] to eject the core. ({{TNG|Descent}}; {{VOY|Day of Honor}})
   
[[File:Galaxy class navigational deflector firing inverse tachyon pulse.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Enterprise'' generated an inverse tachyon pulse]]
+
[[File:Galaxy class navigational deflector firing inverse tachyon pulse.jpg|thumb|left|The ''Enterprise'' generates an inverse tachyon pulse]]
 
In an [[alternate timeline]], Captain Picard ordered the use of an [[inverse tachyon pulse]] in three different time periods, to scan the interior of an [[anti-time eruption]] which existed in each period. It was later discovered that the tachyon pulses themselves were what ruptured the [[subspace]] barrier between [[time]] and [[anti-time]], creating the eruption in the first place. The timeline in which these events occurred was negated when Picard was able to stop the initial formation of the eruption. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
 
In an [[alternate timeline]], Captain Picard ordered the use of an [[inverse tachyon pulse]] in three different time periods, to scan the interior of an [[anti-time eruption]] which existed in each period. It was later discovered that the tachyon pulses themselves were what ruptured the [[subspace]] barrier between [[time]] and [[anti-time]], creating the eruption in the first place. The timeline in which these events occurred was negated when Picard was able to stop the initial formation of the eruption. ({{TNG|All Good Things...}})
   
 
In [[2371]], [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]], [[operations officer]] aboard ''Voyager'', attempted to utilize a [[tachyon scan]] to inspect a [[type-four quantum singularity]] which they had encountered in the Delta Quadrant, but the attempt proved unsuccessful due to the high levels of interference produced by the [[singularity]]. ({{VOY|Parallax}})
 
In [[2371]], [[Ensign]] [[Harry Kim]], [[operations officer]] aboard ''Voyager'', attempted to utilize a [[tachyon scan]] to inspect a [[type-four quantum singularity]] which they had encountered in the Delta Quadrant, but the attempt proved unsuccessful due to the high levels of interference produced by the [[singularity]]. ({{VOY|Parallax}})
  +
  +
Later that year, temporal distortions, which existed as a result of [[Kes]] having traveled back in time from [[2376|five years in the future]], resulted in the presence of tachyon particles throughout ''Voyager''. These particles caused [[Lieutenant]] [[Tuvok]] to experience a series of premonitions about the future, allowing the crew to prepare for Kes's arrival in five years time, and subsequently prevent her from traveling back in time in the first place. ({{VOY|Fury}})
   
 
The naturally-existing tachyon eddies in the Bajoran system helped propel ancient [[Bajoran lightship]]s to [[warp]] velocities, and facilitated [[Bajoran]] arrival in the [[Cardassian system]] as early as the [[16th century]]. Although claims of this so-called "[[ancient contact]]" were long disputed by the [[Cardassian]]s, [[Starfleet]] [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko]] and his son [[Jake Sisko|Jake]] finally proved it in [[2371]], duplicating the voyage to Cardassian space in a lightship which Sisko had constructed. ({{DS9|Explorers}})
 
The naturally-existing tachyon eddies in the Bajoran system helped propel ancient [[Bajoran lightship]]s to [[warp]] velocities, and facilitated [[Bajoran]] arrival in the [[Cardassian system]] as early as the [[16th century]]. Although claims of this so-called "[[ancient contact]]" were long disputed by the [[Cardassian]]s, [[Starfleet]] [[Commander]] [[Benjamin Sisko]] and his son [[Jake Sisko|Jake]] finally proved it in [[2371]], duplicating the voyage to Cardassian space in a lightship which Sisko had constructed. ({{DS9|Explorers}})
   
[[File:Tachyon beam.jpg|thumb|''Voyager'' fires a tachyon beam at the Dreadnought]]
+
[[File:Tachyon beam.jpg|thumb|''Voyager'' fires a tachyon beam at the ''Dreadnought'']]
In [[2372]], Lieutenant Torres attempted to use a sustained tachyon beam to penetrate and destroy the core of the "[[Cardassian ATR-4107|Dreadnought]]," a Cardassian missile which had been transported to the Delta Quadrant. The plan failed, however, when Dreadnought, which was equipped with a sophisticated [[artificial intelligence]] system, sent a [[plasma]] burst along the tachyon beam into ''Voyager''{{'}}s main power systems. ({{VOY|Dreadnought}})
+
In [[2372]], Lieutenant Torres attempted to use a sustained tachyon beam to penetrate and destroy the core of the "[[Cardassian ATR-4107|Dreadnought]]," a Cardassian missile which had been transported to the Delta Quadrant. The plan failed, however, when ''Dreadnought'', which was equipped with a sophisticated [[artificial intelligence]] system, sent a [[plasma]] burst along the tachyon beam into ''Voyager''{{'}}s main power systems. ({{VOY|Dreadnought}})
   
 
In [[1996]], after having traveled back in time from the year [[2373]], [[Tom Paris]] detected tachyon emissions from a truck, leading him to believe that [[Henry Starling]], a [[20th century]] industrialist who had stolen the [[29th century]] [[timeship]] ''[[Aeon]]'', was moving the vessel to another location. It was soon discovered, however, that Starling was only using a temporal transponder to divert Paris's attention. ({{VOY|Future's End, Part II}})
 
In [[1996]], after having traveled back in time from the year [[2373]], [[Tom Paris]] detected tachyon emissions from a truck, leading him to believe that [[Henry Starling]], a [[20th century]] industrialist who had stolen the [[29th century]] [[timeship]] ''[[Aeon]]'', was moving the vessel to another location. It was soon discovered, however, that Starling was only using a temporal transponder to divert Paris's attention. ({{VOY|Future's End, Part II}})
   
Later in 2373, while trapped in an illusion created by [[Janeway (Vice Admiral)|an alien]], Captain [[Kathryn Janeway|Janeway]] came to believe that she was being affected by a [[temporal anomaly]], and attempted to use a tachyon burst to disperse it. ({{VOY|Coda}})
+
Later in 2373, while trapped in an illusion created by [[Janeway (Male Admiral)|an alien]], Captain [[Kathryn Janeway|Janeway]] came to believe that she was being affected by a [[temporal anomaly]], and attempted to use a tachyon burst to disperse it. ({{VOY|Coda}})
   
In [[2375]], When [[Colonel]] [[Kira Nerys|Kira]] was kidnapped by [[Dukat]] from Deep Space Nine, a scan of her quarters revealed traces of tachyon energy, leading the crew to realize that she had been beamed away. ({{DS9|Covenant}})
+
In [[2375]], When [[Colonel]] [[Kira Nerys|Kira]] was kidnapped by [[Dukat]] from Deep Space 9, a scan of her quarters revealed traces of tachyon energy, leading the crew to realize that she had been beamed away. ({{DS9|Covenant}})
   
 
The same year, Captain Picard and Lieutenant Commander [[Worf]] were able to use a tachyon pulse to force [[Data]], who was malfunctioning at the time, to remodulate the [[shields|shield]] harmonics of the vessel he had stolen, so they could beam him aboard. Commander Data was later able to use the same tactic on a [[Son'a battle cruiser]] to make it possible for Worf to beam the crew to [[Federation holoship|another ship]]. ({{film|9}})
 
The same year, Captain Picard and Lieutenant Commander [[Worf]] were able to use a tachyon pulse to force [[Data]], who was malfunctioning at the time, to remodulate the [[shields|shield]] harmonics of the vessel he had stolen, so they could beam him aboard. Commander Data was later able to use the same tactic on a [[Son'a battle cruiser]] to make it possible for Worf to beam the crew to [[Federation holoship|another ship]]. ({{film|9}})
   
 
[[File:Midas array.jpg|thumb|left|The MIDAS array directs a tachyon beam towards a pulsar]]
 
[[File:Midas array.jpg|thumb|left|The MIDAS array directs a tachyon beam towards a pulsar]]
In [[2376]], [[Reginald Barclay]] came up with the idea of using the [[MIDAS array]] to direct a tachyon beam at a class-B itinerant [[pulsar]], creating an artificial [[microwormhole]] through which two-way communication could be established with ''Voyager'', on the other side of [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]]. Although his superiors were initially skeptical that the plan would work, Barclay took the initiative to implement his plan, and was able to establish communication. ({{VOY|Pathfinder}})
+
In [[2376]], [[Reginald Barclay]] came up with the idea of using the [[MIDAS array]] to direct a tachyon beam at a class-B itinerant [[pulsar]], creating an artificial [[microwormhole]] through which two-way communication could be established with ''Voyager'', on the other side of [[Milky Way Galaxy|the galaxy]]. Although his superiors were initially skeptical that the plan would work, Barclay took the initiative to implement his plan, and was able to establish communication. [[2378|Two years later]], Harry Kim and Seven of Nine developed a method whereby ''Voyager'' could communicate with Starfleet in the Alpha Quadrant, by bouncing a phased tachyon beam off of a [[quantum singularity]]. This method of communication was limited by the fact that the singularity was only in alignment for eleven minutes every day. ({{VOY|Author, Author|Pathfinder}})
   
 
That same year, ''Voyager'' encountered [[Kelemane's planet|a unique planet]] in the Delta Quadrant, which had a tachyon core. The core created a [[spacetime]] differential between the planet and the surrounding space, the planet experiencing the passage of one day every 1.03 seconds as measured on ''Voyager''. ''Voyager'' became trapped in orbit briefly due to the tachyon field generated by the planet, and remained in orbit for approximately one thousand years of the planet's time. ({{VOY|Blink of an Eye}})
 
That same year, ''Voyager'' encountered [[Kelemane's planet|a unique planet]] in the Delta Quadrant, which had a tachyon core. The core created a [[spacetime]] differential between the planet and the surrounding space, the planet experiencing the passage of one day every 1.03 seconds as measured on ''Voyager''. ''Voyager'' became trapped in orbit briefly due to the tachyon field generated by the planet, and remained in orbit for approximately one thousand years of the planet's time. ({{VOY|Blink of an Eye}})
   
 
[[File:Tachyon pulse.jpg|thumb|Admiral Janeway using the chrono deflector to generate a tachyon pulse]]
In [[2378]], Harry Kim and Seven of Nine developed a method whereby ''Voyager'' could communicate with Starfleet in the Alpha Quadrant, by bouncing a tachyon beam off of a [[quantum singularity]]. This method of communication was limited by the fact that the singularity was only in alignment for eleven minutes every day. ({{VOY|Author, Author}})
 
 
In the year [[2404]], Kathryn Janeway, who by this time had returned with ''Voyager'' to the Alpha Quadrant and been promoted to [[admiral]], appropriated a time travel device called a "[[chrono deflector]]," invented by a Klingon scientist named [[Korath]]. The device operated by generating a powerful tachyon pulse to form a [[temporal rift]], which could then be directed to a specific time and place. Janeway used this device to travel to the Delta Quadrant, the year 2378, where she instructed her counterpart to initiate an [[antitachyon]] pulse in order to seal the rift. Due to the fact that the chrono deflector produced levels of tachyon radiation which would be toxic to her, before she left she instructed [[The Doctor]] to treat her with [[chronexaline]], an experimental drug at the time which protected biomatter from tachyons. Admiral Janeway subsequently collaborated with the ''Voyager'' crew to change history and return the ship to the [[Alpha Quadrant]] sixteen years before it would have without her intervention. ({{VOY|Endgame}})
 
[[File:Tachyon pulse.jpg|thumb|Admiral Janeway uses the chronodeflector to generate a tachyon pulse]]
 
In the year [[2404]], Kathryn Janeway, who by this time had returned with ''Voyager'' to the Alpha Quadrant and been promoted to [[admiral]], appropriated a time travel device called a "[[chronodeflector]]," invented by a Klingon scientist named [[Korath]]. The device operated by generating a powerful tachyon pulse to form a [[temporal rift]], which could then be directed to a specific time and place. Janeway used this device to travel to the Delta Quadrant, the year 2378, where she instructed her counterpart to initiate an [[antitachyon]] pulse in order to seal the rift. Due to the fact that the chronodeflector produced levels of tachyon radiation which would be toxic to her, before she left she instructed [[The Doctor]] to treat her with [[chronexaline]], an experimental drug at the time which protected biomatter from tachyons. Admiral Janeway subsequently collaborated with the ''Voyager'' crew to change history and return the ship to the [[Alpha Quadrant]] sixteen years before it would have without her intervention. ({{VOY|Endgame}})
 
 
   
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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* [[Beta-tachyon]]
 
* [[Beta-tachyon]]
 
* [[Long-range tachyon scanner]]
 
* [[Long-range tachyon scanner]]
  +
* [[Tachyokinetic energy]]
 
* [[Tachyon detection grid]]
 
* [[Tachyon detection grid]]
 
* [[Tachyon eddy]]
 
* [[Tachyon eddy]]
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** {{e|The Jem'Hadar}}
 
** {{e|The Jem'Hadar}}
 
* {{VOY|Favorite Son}}
 
* {{VOY|Favorite Son}}
  +
  +
==Apocrypha==
  +
The game ''[[Star Trek Online]]'' features many applications for tachyons including tachyon beams to drain a starship's shields and tachyon harmonics to disrupt personal shields in ground combat.
   
 
==External link==
 
==External link==
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
* {{wikipedia}}
 
 
 
   
 
[[cs:Tachyon]]
 
[[cs:Tachyon]]
 
[[de:Tachyon]]
 
[[de:Tachyon]]
 
[[ja:タキオン]]
 
[[ja:タキオン]]
 
 
[[Category:Energy]]
 
[[Category:Energy]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]
 
[[Category:Particles]]

Revision as of 22:37, 9 August 2012

AT: "xx" A tachyon is a subatomic particle that naturally exists at faster-than-light velocities, and can often be associated with time travel or produced as a byproduct of a temporal distortion. Tachyons can exist both naturally, as in the tachyon eddies in the Bajoran system, and can be produced artificially, such as in tachyon detection grids and temporal transponders. They can also exist as the byproducts of the use of many technologies, such as cloaking devices and transporters. (DS9: "Explorers", "Covenant"; VOY: "Future's End, Part II", "Fury"; Star Trek Nemesis)

Tachyons can be utilized in a number of ways, including as scans, offensive weapons, and even as a means of communication. (TNG: "Redemption II"; VOY: "Dreadnought", "Pathfinder")

Overview

Some of the 31st century temporal agent Daniels's equipment produced tachyon radiation. In 2151, Silik detected this radiation aboard the Enterprise NX-01, and deduced that Daniels was on the ship, as Enterprise did not have any technology which emitted tachyons. (ENT: "Cold Front")

In 2366, the non-corporeal species, the Calamarain, used a tachyon field to attack Q, who had been stripped of all of his powers by the Q Continuum and deposited on board the USS Enterprise-D. (TNG: "Deja Q")

Tachyon detection network activated

The tachyon detection grid

In 2367, Captain Jean-Luc Picard instituted a tachyon detection grid on the Klingon-Romulan border, in order to prevent any cloaked Romulan ships from crossing the border undetected while cloaked. This effectively stopped the Romulan Empire's covert support for the House of Duras's attempts to take control of the Klingon Empire. Six years later, Lieutenant Tuvok suggested initiating a tachyon scan of a nebula that the USS Voyager had encountered in the Delta Quadrant, in an attempt to reveal the presence of any cloaked ships which could be hiding inside. As of 2375, the Dominion began employing long-range tachyon scanners to detect cloaked vessels. They were first observed being used by the crew of the Klingon vessel Ch'Tang, after conducting a cavalry raid behind enemy lines. (TNG: "Redemption II"; VOY: "Flashback"; DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

In addition, cloaked ships were known to produce detectable tachyon emissions. In 2372, the USS Defiant produced a tachyon surge when decloaking in front of the Xhosa, and in 2373, when a fleet of Romulan warbirds decloaked near station Deep Space 9, they produced a large buildup of tachyons. As of 2379, the Remans were able to equip the Reman Warbird Scimitar with a cloak which did not have this limitation. (DS9: "For the Cause", "By Inferno's Light"; Star Trek Nemesis)

The Borg utilized tachyon pulses of alternating frequencies to open their transwarp conduits. In 2369, Commander Geordi La Forge, chief engineer of the Enterprise-D, was able to set up a temporary tachyon matrix in the ship's main deflector to simulate the pulses that the Borg used, and gain access to a transwarp conduit. Five years later, Seven of Nine attempted to utilize the same procedure to create a transwarp conduit in an effort to facilitate Voyager's return to the Alpha Quadrant, but the tachyons flooded the warp core, threatening a breach. This forced Lieutenant Torres to eject the core. (TNG: "Descent"; VOY: "Day of Honor")

Galaxy class navigational deflector firing inverse tachyon pulse

The Enterprise generates an inverse tachyon pulse

In an alternate timeline, Captain Picard ordered the use of an inverse tachyon pulse in three different time periods, to scan the interior of an anti-time eruption which existed in each period. It was later discovered that the tachyon pulses themselves were what ruptured the subspace barrier between time and anti-time, creating the eruption in the first place. The timeline in which these events occurred was negated when Picard was able to stop the initial formation of the eruption. (TNG: "All Good Things...")

In 2371, Ensign Harry Kim, operations officer aboard Voyager, attempted to utilize a tachyon scan to inspect a type-four quantum singularity which they had encountered in the Delta Quadrant, but the attempt proved unsuccessful due to the high levels of interference produced by the singularity. (VOY: "Parallax")

Later that year, temporal distortions, which existed as a result of Kes having traveled back in time from five years in the future, resulted in the presence of tachyon particles throughout Voyager. These particles caused Lieutenant Tuvok to experience a series of premonitions about the future, allowing the crew to prepare for Kes's arrival in five years time, and subsequently prevent her from traveling back in time in the first place. (VOY: "Fury")

The naturally-existing tachyon eddies in the Bajoran system helped propel ancient Bajoran lightships to warp velocities, and facilitated Bajoran arrival in the Cardassian system as early as the 16th century. Although claims of this so-called "ancient contact" were long disputed by the Cardassians, Starfleet Commander Benjamin Sisko and his son Jake finally proved it in 2371, duplicating the voyage to Cardassian space in a lightship which Sisko had constructed. (DS9: "Explorers")

Tachyon beam

Voyager fires a tachyon beam at the Dreadnought

In 2372, Lieutenant Torres attempted to use a sustained tachyon beam to penetrate and destroy the core of the "Dreadnought," a Cardassian missile which had been transported to the Delta Quadrant. The plan failed, however, when Dreadnought, which was equipped with a sophisticated artificial intelligence system, sent a plasma burst along the tachyon beam into Voyager's main power systems. (VOY: "Dreadnought")

In 1996, after having traveled back in time from the year 2373, Tom Paris detected tachyon emissions from a truck, leading him to believe that Henry Starling, a 20th century industrialist who had stolen the 29th century timeship Aeon, was moving the vessel to another location. It was soon discovered, however, that Starling was only using a temporal transponder to divert Paris's attention. (VOY: "Future's End, Part II")

Later in 2373, while trapped in an illusion created by an alien, Captain Janeway came to believe that she was being affected by a temporal anomaly, and attempted to use a tachyon burst to disperse it. (VOY: "Coda")

In 2375, When Colonel Kira was kidnapped by Dukat from Deep Space 9, a scan of her quarters revealed traces of tachyon energy, leading the crew to realize that she had been beamed away. (DS9: "Covenant")

The same year, Captain Picard and Lieutenant Commander Worf were able to use a tachyon pulse to force Data, who was malfunctioning at the time, to remodulate the shield harmonics of the vessel he had stolen, so they could beam him aboard. Commander Data was later able to use the same tactic on a Son'a battle cruiser to make it possible for Worf to beam the crew to another ship. (Star Trek: Insurrection)

File:Midas array.jpg

The MIDAS array directs a tachyon beam towards a pulsar

In 2376, Reginald Barclay came up with the idea of using the MIDAS array to direct a tachyon beam at a class-B itinerant pulsar, creating an artificial microwormhole through which two-way communication could be established with Voyager, on the other side of the galaxy. Although his superiors were initially skeptical that the plan would work, Barclay took the initiative to implement his plan, and was able to establish communication. Two years later, Harry Kim and Seven of Nine developed a method whereby Voyager could communicate with Starfleet in the Alpha Quadrant, by bouncing a phased tachyon beam off of a quantum singularity. This method of communication was limited by the fact that the singularity was only in alignment for eleven minutes every day. (VOY: "Author, Author", "Pathfinder")

That same year, Voyager encountered a unique planet in the Delta Quadrant, which had a tachyon core. The core created a spacetime differential between the planet and the surrounding space, the planet experiencing the passage of one day every 1.03 seconds as measured on Voyager. Voyager became trapped in orbit briefly due to the tachyon field generated by the planet, and remained in orbit for approximately one thousand years of the planet's time. (VOY: "Blink of an Eye")

File:Tachyon pulse.jpg

Admiral Janeway using the chrono deflector to generate a tachyon pulse

In the year 2404, Kathryn Janeway, who by this time had returned with Voyager to the Alpha Quadrant and been promoted to admiral, appropriated a time travel device called a "chrono deflector," invented by a Klingon scientist named Korath. The device operated by generating a powerful tachyon pulse to form a temporal rift, which could then be directed to a specific time and place. Janeway used this device to travel to the Delta Quadrant, the year 2378, where she instructed her counterpart to initiate an antitachyon pulse in order to seal the rift. Due to the fact that the chrono deflector produced levels of tachyon radiation which would be toxic to her, before she left she instructed The Doctor to treat her with chronexaline, an experimental drug at the time which protected biomatter from tachyons. Admiral Janeway subsequently collaborated with the Voyager crew to change history and return the ship to the Alpha Quadrant sixteen years before it would have without her intervention. (VOY: "Endgame")

See also

Additional references

Apocrypha

The game Star Trek Online features many applications for tachyons including tachyon beams to drain a starship's shields and tachyon harmonics to disrupt personal shields in ground combat.

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