| abstract | - The primary source of power utilized in Federation starships was provided by the enormous amount of output energy produced by a controlled matter-antimatter reaction. This reaction typically occurred within the intermix chamber of a warp core, and was contained by a magnetic containment field. This reaction produced a considerable amount of heat energy in addition to the kinetic energy that was used by the vessel's propulsion system. This heat was supplanted by a plasma coolant system that was situated adjacent to the intermix chamber. The loss of coolant would inevitably result in the overheating and destruction of the intermix chamber, causing a warp core breach. (Star Trek Generations) Certain types of matter-antimatter reactions were known to create omicron particles. (DS9: "Shadowplay") The warp core aboard an Intrepid-class starship was fueled by a matter/antimatter reaction, capable of producing a maximum output of 4,000 teradynes per second, providing power for faster-than-light propulsion. (VOY: "Drone") Additionally, the unit of Cochrane was used to measure a matter/antimatter reaction. (VOY: "The Gift") There was only one ratio with matter-antimatter; 1:1. (TNG: "Coming of Age" ) However, Lt. Cmdr. Leland T. Lynch once claimed to set a ratio of 25:1. (TNG: "Skin of Evil" ) If the antimatter reaction rate, in a matter-antimatter reaction dropped below 9%, it could cause the system's plasma injectors to lock up, which subsequently prevented the nacelles from being initialized. (VOY: "Resistance")
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