A tetryon is a subatomic particle that can only exist in subspace environments. Tetryon radiation is a bombardment of these particles. Since these particles are a property of subspace, they become highly energetic and unstable when they are extruded into normal space, which can occur by both natural and artificial means.
In 2369, tetryon emissions were detected by the Federation starship Enterprise-D in a cargo bay. This was evidence of intrusions into the vessel from a point in a different realm of subspace, the home of solanagen-based life-forms that were abducting Enterprise-D crewmembers. (TNG: "Schisms")
Intense tetryon fields, such as those surrounding the Hekaras Corridor, pose a hazard to spacecraft. (TNG: "Force of Nature")
Bombardment with tetryons can render directed-energy weapons inoperative. Jadzia Dax utilized tetryons to disable the weapons of The Albino's troops on Secarus IV in 2371. (DS9: "Blood Oath")
In 2378, the USS Voyager struck a subspace mine. This lead to the ship being flooded with tetryon radiation, and most of the crew suffering radiation poisoning as a result. With the Doctor only able to stablise the condition of the crew at best until the radiation could be purged, Captain Janeway was forced to order the ship abandoned. Before leaving, Janeway left the Doctor, as the Emergency Command Hologram, in command of the Voyager. The Doctor was eventually able to vent the radiation. (VOY: "Workforce, Part I")
Tetryon weapons
Tetryon applications
References
- TNG: "Tapestry"
- TNG: "Schisms"
- TNG: "Suspicions"
- TNG: "Force of Nature"
- DS9: "In the Hands of the Prophets"
- DS9: "Necessary Evil"
- DS9: "Blood Oath"
- DS9: "The Die is Cast"
- DS9: "Visionary"
- DS9: "The Adversary"
- DS9: "The Begotten"
- VOY: "Caretaker"
- VOY: "Non Sequitur"
- VOY: "Workforce, Part I"
- VOY: "The Voyager Conspiracy"
- Star Trek: Insurrection