Transporters

memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Transporter

Transporter.

"Transporting really is the safest way to travel." – Geordi La Forge, 2369 ("Realm of Fear")

The transporter was a subspace device capable of almost instantaneously moving an object from one location to another. Transporters are able to dematerialize, transmit and reassemble an object. The act of transporting is often referred to as "beaming".



Transporter platform on Deep Space Station K-7 in 2268



A Federation transporter device from the 23rd century



A Galaxy-class transporter pad, circa 2364



Intrepid-class transporter room, circa 2371



Defiant-class transporter room, circa 2373

History

Although transporters have been used by many civilizations throughout history, the first Human-made transporter was invented sometime prior to 2121, originated by Emory Erickson. The first operable transporter was developed before 2139. (ENT: "Daedalus") The descendants of colonists who established an early Human settlement, on the planet Terra 10, retained knowledge of transporter technologies until at least 2269, as well as intersat code even though that communication method went out of use two centuries beforehand. (TAS: "The Terratin Incident").


Long before the transporter was established as having been invented by Emory Erickson, Gene Roddenberry imagined the transporter as a Human invention, rather than a Vulcan one.

When the transporter was in its infancy, there was much controversy surrounding its safety and reliability within United Earth. When it became approved for biomatter, there were even protests. The debates ranged from claims of brain cancer, psychosis and sleep disorders to metaphysical debates over whether or not the person transported was the same person or a copy of the original. (ENT: "Daedalus")

The Enterprise NX-01 was one of the first Starfleet starships to be equipped with a transporter authorized for transporting biological objects. Initially, however, it was utilized only sparingly, due to a general distrust of the technology held by Enterprise crew members. Its use became much more common during Enterprise's search of the Delphic Expanse. (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Strange New World", "The Andorian Incident", "Hatchery", "Countdown", et al.)



A Lateral Vector Transporter in use in 2249

These early transporters were not very reliable and, even after Enterprise's mission, most were authorized for non-biological transports only. Even when transporter use became commonplace, most Humans and other races at a similar stage of technological development preferred traditional methods of travel. (ENT: "Strange New World", "The Andorian Incident", "Daedalus")

With the advent of safer transporters, biological transport became increasingly common, which led to the appearance of the first transporter-related diseases. The best known disease was transporter psychosis, which was diagnosed in 2209 on Delinia II. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

As Starfleet continued its exploration of space, dependence on transporters grew significantly. Transporters could simplify away missions considerably by eliminating the need for a shuttlecraft. In case of emergencies (medical or otherwise), the time saved could mean the difference between life or death. (ENT: "Strange New World")

Transporters became the most reliable form of short-range transport by the 24th century. Innovations in transporter technology around this time included safer site-to-site transport, which allowed for transport between two locations without first returning to a transporter room. By the 29th century, Starfleet had developed temporal transporter technology that allowed travel through time in a very similar manner to standard transporters of earlier centuries. (TNG: "Realm of Fear"; VOY: "Relativity")

The basic principles behind Federation transporters didn't differ from those of other species, although they had a distinctive blue color. (Star Trek).



A 22nd century transporter platform from Earth Starfleet



...and its console



An upgraded transporter platform later installed aboard Enterprise (NX-01) (2154)

Operations

By the 24th century, most space-faring civilizations of the Alpha and Beta Quadrants employed transporter technology for short-range transport of personnel and equipment. There were many advantages to utilizing transporters.



View from within a transporter's matter stream

Traveling by transporter was essentially instantaneous and an individual's sense of time while transporting was effectively non-existent. Benjamin Sisko and Harry Kim, while training at Starfleet Academy in San Francisco, frequently transported to New Orleans and South Carolina, respectively, to see their parents. (DS9: "Explorers"; VOY: "Non Sequitur")

In general, a transporter chief was responsible for the operational readiness, maintenance and repair of a ship or station's transporter systems. By the 24th century, transporter systems could also be operated from computer terminals, other than those in transporter rooms.

Furthermore, emergency transporter armbands, transponders and combadges could be programmed to remotely activate a transporter. Normally, remote transporter activation was limited to emergencies or when the crew of a vessel was not on board. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds", "Realm of Fear"; DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")

A typical transport sequence began with a lock to coordinates, during which the destination was verified and programmed, via the targeting scanners. Obtaining or maintaining a transporter lock enables the transporter operator to know the subject's location, even in motion, allowing the beaming process to start more quickly. This is an essential safety precaution when a starship away team enters a potentially dangerous situation that would require an emergency beam-out.

A transporter lock was usually maintained by tracing the homing signal of a communicator or combadge. When there was a risk that such devices would be lost in the field or are otherwise unavailable, personnel could be implanted with a subcutaneous transponder before an away mission, to still provide a means to maintain a transporter lock. Alternatively, sensors could be used to scan for the bio-sign or energy signature of a subject, which could then be fed into the transporter's targeting scanner for a lock.

Next, the lifeform or object to be beamed was scanned on the quantum level, using a molecular imaging scanner. At this point, Heisenberg compensators took into account the position and direction of all subatomic particles composing the object or individual and created a map of the physical structure being disassembled, amounting to billions of kiloquads of data.



An active phaser caught in the transport process

Simultaneously, the object was broken down into a stream of subatomic particles, also called the matter stream. While certain types of energy could be transported safely, active phaser beams would be disrupted during this breakdown process. (TNG: "Datalore") The matter stream was briefly stored in a pattern buffer while the system compensates for Doppler shift to the destination.

The matter stream was then transmitted to its destination across a subspace domain. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II") As with any type of transmission of energy or radiation, scattering and degradation of the signal must be monitored closely. The annular confinement beam (ACB) acted to maintain the integrity of the information contained in the energy beam. Finally, the initial process was reversed and the object or individual was reassembled at the destination.

From its earliest incarnations until sometime between the early 2270s and mid 2280s, transporters generally immobilized the subject being beamed during dematerialization and rematerialization. Advances in transporter technology after that point allowed a person being transported to move, during the process, in a limited fashion.

With perhaps one or two exceptions, every instance of transporter use shown in ENT, TOS, and TAS showed a "suspended subject." This held true for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, as well. Beginning with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, transport subjects were shown being able to engage in limited movements and even conversation while in transport.



Emory Erickson, the inventor of the transporter, with daughter, Danica Erickson



A Ferengi transporter beam



The transporter effect of the Hunters

Transporter operations (alternate reality).

In 2258 of the alternate reality, the transporter operation process included the use of the annular confinement beam, followed by electromagnetic focusing and the use of a gravitational compensator. The transporter operator then applied a temporal differential and engaged a particle lock. (Star Trek).



Transporter effect of the alternate reality's USS Enterprise

Safety features, protocols and components.

As with other Starfleet technology, the transporter had its own set of safety features, protocols and procedures. In an emergency, many of these safety systems could be modified or circumvented.

Early versions of the transporter in the 22nd century appeared to have no protection against external incursions into an active transport. "Foreign matter," such as blowing debris, could get caught up in the transport and become embedded or integrated into the subject. (ENT: "Strange New World") Energy weapons fire would also affect the subject, unless it was sufficiently far into the transport that the fire passed through it harmlessly. (ENT: "Broken Bow", "Countdown") By the late 23rd century, however, transporters shielded the subject from these external incursions. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; TNG: "A Matter of Perspective")

Biofilters were uniformly used on all Federation transporters by the 24th century. These filters functioned to decontaminate transported objects and prevent harmful substances, pathogens, and even certain forms of radiation (including theta radiation), from contaminating the rest of the ship or station. This process replaced earlier systems that required the subject to be fully rematerialized on the transport platform before applying an energy-based process to topically decontaminate the transportee. (VOY: "Macrocosm", "Night"; TOS: "The Naked Time")

Though the biofilters performed a general contaminant removal with each transport, they were far from perfect; previously unknown infections or viruses occasionally failed to register, requiring the filters to be recalibrated to recognize the new threat. As such, biofilters were incapable of filtering out certain types of substances and pathogens, most notably psychic energy. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us", "Power Play")

Biofilters were also unable to detect and filter certain types of phased reality lifeforms without prior calibration. Biofilters also functioned to detect and disable weapons and explosives (remat detonators, for example). (TNG: "Realm of Fear", "The Schizoid Man", "The Most Toys")

Additionally, pattern buffers were used to compensate for relative motion during transport, ensuring that transported matter materialized in the correct location.

Except in cases of extreme emergency, protocols prohibited transporting objects while traveling at warp speed. (TNG: "The Schizoid Man") Such transports are possible, however, if the two vessels match warp velocities. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds"; VOY: "Maneuvers").

Diagnostic and maintenance tools.

Magneton scanner
Micro-resonator
Parametric scanner
Synchronic meter
Test cylinder

Magneton scanner.


A magneton scanner was a 24th century engineering tool that is one of the most thorough scanning devices aboard Federation starships.

In 2371, Harry Kim and B'Elanna Torres used a magneton scan to examine subspace fractures which were present on a planet in the Delta Quadrant as a result of a massive polaric ion explosion. The scan results indicated that, unlike most shock waves which dissipate into the future, the shock wave from the polaric ion explosion dissipated into the past, creating subspace fractures which could allow for time travel. The timeline in which these events took place was later negated when Captain Janeway managed to change history by ensuring that the explosion never took place. (VOY: "Time and Again")

Later in 2371, the Voyager crew tried to scan for a non-corporeal alien lifeform moving from one crewman to another using a magneton scanner, as Paris suggested it was the most thorough scanning device aboard, but it was unsuccessful. (VOY: "Cathexis")

Later that year, Torres suggested to Chell that a magneton scanner would degauss the transporter room in about five minutes; a lot faster than the micro-resonator he was using, but Tuvok told him it would teach him "patience". (VOY: "Learning Curve")

In 2373, when Captain Janeway was near death, she hallucinated that Torres used a Magneton scanner to search for her remaining presence aboard the ship, if there was anyway to help her. But this later turned to be an alien-induced near-death-experience. (VOY: "Coda").

Micro-resonator.

A micro-resonator was a tool used by Starfleet engineers to degauss relatively small devices. For larger objects, a magneton scanner could accomplish the same task.

In 2371, as part of a crash course in Starfleet training, Tuvok had Crewman Chell degauss the transporter pad with a micro-resonator to learn "patience". Tuvok estimated it would take approximately 26.3 hours to complete; Torres stated that the magneton scanner would take five minutes. (VOY: "Learning Curve").

Parametric scanner.

A parametric scanner was a type of hand-held engineering device used for aligning phase coils.

In 2152, Trip Tucker used one to scan Jonathan Archer's physical dimensions into the computer during his attempt to redesign Enterprise NX-01's captain's chair. (ENT: "Singularity").

Synchronic meter.

A synchronic meter was a diagnostic tool used during the 23rd century to troubleshoot problems with transporter operations. (TOS: "The Enemy Within").

Test cylinder.

A Starfleet test cylinder was a standard 24th century mechanism used to test the correct working of a transporter. Multiple types of test cylinders were available, including pure duranium models, and other more advanced ones with a varietal molecular matrix that simulates most known organic and inorganic compounds. (TNG: "Hollow Pursuits"; VOY: "Eye of the Needle")

Test cylinder technology was not classified and the Romulans had a similar device during the 2350s. (VOY: "Eye of the Needle").

Test cylinders were used in 2366 in an effort to overcome the effects that hyperonic radiation had on transporters. Chief engineer Geordi La Forge, transporter chief Miles O'Brien and Acting Ensign Wesley Crusher went through several test cylinders (all melting to various degrees) before realizing that it would take years of research and about one hundred personnel to make it work. (TNG: "The Ensigns of Command")

Following the discovery of a micro-wormhole, proposed by Tom Paris to be named the Harry Kim wormhole, in the Delta Quadrant by the USS Voyager in 2371, it was determined that a transporter signal could be transmitted via a microprobe relay lodged in the micro-wormhole, towards to other end. With the assistance of a signal amplifier aboard the Romulan science vessel Talvath, located in the Alpha Quadrant, a test cylinder was used to determine the safety of the transport. After more than twenty successful transports it was deemed safe to transport a test subject through the micro-wormhole. (VOY: "Eye of the Needle").

System components.

Annular confinement beam

The annular confinement beam (sometimes shortened to confinement beam) was an essential component of the transporter system. Generated by the primary energizing coils, the annular confinement beam confined the transporter matter stream when it was on its way to the target destination.

When deflector shields were active, an annular confinement beam could not penetrate the shield envelope, making transport almost impossible, except through the expert use of sensor windows. (TNG: "The Wounded")

The annular confinement beam also made it possible to transport objects and persons at warp, although the velocities of both vessel and target needed to be identical. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds")

In the event of an annular confinement beam failure or malfunction, the object in transport would suffer pattern degradation, causing severe injury and even death in the case of living creatures. Commander Sonak was killed in such an incident in the 2270s. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

The annular confinement beam could be intentionally breached by the transport subject during the initial stages of transport if their bodies contained certain material compounds. However, doing so resulted in a massive energy discharge as the beam failed, and could be lethal as described above. (TNG: "The Hunted")

In 2368, Miles O'Brien was able to boost the confinement beam in order to beam down one person to the surface of Mab-Bu VI's moon that was ravaged by heavy electrical storms. Geordi La Forge estimated the chances for success at 50:50. (TNG: "Power Play")

The only time that the annular confinement beam was disengaged was when a transport in progress was suspected to contain some explosives or other dangerous material which were not allowed on board a ship. The targeting scanners were then reset to a point in space, the transporter matter stream was rerouted to that point, and the annular confinement beam was disengaged, dispersing the material harmlessly into space.

In 2369, Miles O'Brien tried boosting the annular confinement field in order to retrieve a wounded Klingon who was trying to beam aboard Deep Space 9. He eventually succeeded. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae")

In 2371, a microscopic singularity explosion in the Sol system caused the USS Defiant's annular confinement beam to fluctuate. (DS9: "Past Tense, Part I").

Biofilter

A biofilter is a scanning device that analyzes an incoming transporter matter stream for known biological anomalies. When it detects such anomalies, like viruses, it will attempt to remove them from the stream. The transporter operator will always be warned of detected anomalies whether or not they were able to be removed. Of note, microbes that exist as both matter and energy cannot be distinguished from the matter stream by the biofilter and thus cannot be screened out. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

Biofilters are also used in replicators. The replicator biofilters on Deep Space 9 were unable to filter out the aphasia virus developed by Dekon Elig and Surmak Ren. (DS9: "Babel")

After Deanna Troi, Miles O'Brien and Data were taken over by Ux-Mal criminals, the biofilter scans showed that their nervous systems were generating high levels of synaptic and anionic energy. (TNG: "Power Play")

The biofilter can be reprogrammed to filter out specific molecular patterns. (TNG: "Realm of Fear").

Gravitational compensator.

The gravitational compensator was a component of the transporter used by Starfleet in the mid-23rd century in the alternate reality created by Nero and the Narada. (Star Trek).

Heisenberg compensator.

The Heisenberg compensator was a component of the transporter system. The compensator worked around the problems caused by the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, allowing the transporter sensors to compensate for their inability to determine both the position and momentum of the target particles to the same degree of accuracy. This ensured the matter stream remained coherent during transport, and no data was lost.

A scan of the Heisenberg compensators, to ensure they were performing within the specified parameters, could be performed by raising the transporter pad. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

While trying to devise a way to transport holographic matter off the holodeck without it disintegrating instantly, the idea was put forth that decoupling the Heisenberg compensators might let the matter reform normally, although the suggestion was used as a stalling tactic against Professor James Moriarty, and the idea had never actually been tried before. (TNG: "Ship in a Bottle")

In 2371, Chief Miles O'Brien ordered a crewman to check the Heisenberg compensators of the USS Defiant. (DS9: "Past Tense, Part I").

Materializer.

The materializer was technology associated with the transporter.

In 2265, Montgomery Scott made sure that the materializer was ready in the transporter room before he beamed the SS Valiant log buoy on board the USS Enterprise using the transporter. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before").

Molecular imaging scanner.

The molecular imaging scanner is located above each transporter pad and is used to scan the object to be transported and convert it to a matter stream.

Because of its crucial function, if the imaging scanner was off by even one thousandth of a percent, the transport would fail. Every transporter pad was equipped with four redundant imaging scanners. This scanner could also be used to program the biofilter. Molecular patterns would be identified with the help of the imaging scanner where upon the biofilter could be programmed to removed those unwanted molecules. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

In 2369, Chief Miles O'Brien came too late into school, acting as a substitute teacher for his wife Keiko, because the transporter in ops needed a minor adjustment in its upper molecular imaging scanner. (DS9: "The Nagus").

Particle lock.

A particle lock was a component of the transporter used by Starfleet in the mid-23rd century. It required the object or person to be stationary during transportation.

During the destruction of Vulcan, Hikaru Sulu and James T. Kirk fell from the Narada's drilling rig, making it difficult to lock onto them. Pavel Chekov was able to engage the lock in time before they hit the ground. (Star Trek).

The term comes from a graphic on the transporter operations console. It is unknown if the Prime universe's transporters also involve this component.

Pattern buffer.

The pattern buffer was a key component of transporter systems. The buffer was used to temporarily store the matter stream following dematerialization, but prior to sending the stream to its target. This was done because of the relative motion of transporter and target. By temporarily storing the matter stream, the Doppler compensators had enough time to adjust the targeting scanners.

A matter stream could not be stored indefinitely in the buffer; after 420 seconds, the stored pattern would degrade and the object was lost. The only known occurrence of a person surviving in a buffer longer than the theoretical maximum was Captain Montgomery Scott on board the USS Jenolan. Following the Jenolan's crash-landing on a Dyson sphere, Scott, with the help of Matt Franklin, was able to store his pattern in the buffer for 75 years. This was achieved by disabling the rematerialization subroutine, connecting the phase inducers to the emitter array, bypassing the override, and locking the buffer into a continuous diagnostic cycle. Although Captain Scott's pattern suffered less than 0.003% degradation, and was successfully recovered by Geordi La Forge of the USS Enterprise-D in 2369, Franklin was irretrievable, as one of the inducers had failed, causing a 53% degradation in his pattern. (TNG: "Relics")

In 2152, diamagnetic storms saturated with polaric energy were encountered on a planet visited by the crew of the starship Enterprise. The storms interfered with the operation of the ship's transporter, resulting in Hoshi Sato being trapped in its pattern buffer for 8.3 seconds while Malcolm Reed worked to reintegrate the matter stream. (ENT: "Vanishing Point")

On Galaxy-class starships, the pattern buffer was located immediately beneath the transporter pad. (TNG: "Realm of Fear", "Attached")

When weapons were beamed to a rebel camp on Krios from a cargo transporter of the Enterprise-D in 2367, Miles O'Brien asked Geordi La Forge if he could check the reliability of the pattern buffers. (TNG: "The Mind's Eye")

When Jadzia Dax decided to stay on Meridian in 2371, the transporter buffer of the USS Defiant was used to bring her quantum matrix in sync with that of the Meridians. (DS9: "Meridian")

Starships could also transfer patterns from one pattern buffer to another by "locking on" to the target buffer and energizing. (VOY: "Future's End, Part II")

To eliminate the medical condition called transporter psychosis, Federation transporters were equipped with multiplex pattern buffers. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

The transporter buffer of an Intrepid-class starship performed a version of a microcellular scan every time it was used. (VOY: "Favorite Son")

Cardassian transporter systems were still equipped with active feed pattern buffers in 2367; these were considered outdated by Starfleet. (TNG: "The Wounded")

In 2374, the crew of Voyager overloaded the ship's pattern buffers attempting to transport deuterium from beneath the surface of a Y-class planet. (VOY: "Demon").

Phase Transition Coil.

A phase transition coil was the component in the transporter device that converted a person or object from matter to energy and back again.

The transition coils of the USS Enterprise-D's transporter system were ruled out as having caused the transporter malfunction resulting in Ambassador T'Pel's apparent death shortly after stardate 44390.1, as they had been replaced only a week earlier. (TNG: "Data's Day")

When weapons were beamed to a rebel camp on Krios from a cargo transporter of the Enterprise-D, Geordi La Forge ordered to run a level-1 diagnostic of the phase transition coil. (TNG: "The Mind's Eye")

When the USS Voyager achieved contact with a Romulan science vessel via a micro-wormhole in 2371, they attempted to transport a test cylinder to the ship. Due to the complexity of the transport and a phase variance, power to the phase transition coils had to be increased. (VOY: "Eye of the Needle")

Later that year, Kathryn Janeway set the phase transition coils to maximum in preparation for rematerializing a victim of the metreon cascade whose bodily fragments were widely scattered. (VOY: "Jetrel").

Energizing Coil.

The energizing coil is a vital component used in the transporter system, which serves as one of the final components to handle a transport pattern prior to materialization.

In instances when there are difficulties in the rematerialization sequence, the transporter chief may request more power to the energizing coil from Engineering. (TNG: "The Next Phase")

The primary energizing coil is susceptible to being damaged if an energy burst is intercepted by a transporter beam. (DS9: "Our Man Bashir")

A boost to the gain of the energizing coils would be performed to alleve interference with the integration matrix, in cases when there was an power surge in the pattern buffer. (DS9: "The Darkness and the Light")

When the primary energizing coils are malfunctioning, the malfunction may interfere with a transporter's imaging scanners. (VOY: "Counterpoint").

Molecular Imaging Scanner.

The molecular imaging scanner is located above each transporter pad and is used to scan the object to be transported and convert it to a matter stream.

Because of its crucial function, if the imaging scanner was off by even one thousandth of a percent, the transport would fail. Every transporter pad was equipped with four redundant imaging scanners. This scanner could also be used to program the biofilter. Molecular patterns would be identified with the help of the imaging scanner where upon the biofilter could be programmed to removed those unwanted molecules. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

In 2369, Chief Miles O'Brien came too late into school, acting as a substitute teacher for his wife Keiko, because the transporter in ops needed a minor adjustment in its upper molecular imaging scanner. (DS9: "The Nagus").

Site-To-Site Transport Interlock.

The site-to-site transport interlock was a component of the transporter system, designed to permit site-to-site transport. Deactivating the interlocks required transports to either originate or end on the transporter pad.

In 2367, Miles O'Brien deactivated the interlocks in an attempt to thwart Commander Data, who had seized control of the USS Enterprise-D and taken it to Terlina III. The attempt failed, as Data used a series of force field commands to reach Transporter Room 1 and reactivate the interlocks. (TNG: "Brothers").

Targeting Scanners.

A targeting scanner (or target acquisition) was a part of transporter systems. It was used to locate objects which needed to be transported.

In 2151 Commander Tucker informed Lieutenant Malcolm Reed that the targeting scanners would be online in about an hour, moments after the attack of an unidentified alien vessel. (ENT: "Silent Enemy")

Targeting scanners could also be used to aim weapons at a target during a tactical scenario.

In an alternate version of 1944, Armory Officer Reed attempted to use the targeting scanners aboard the NX-class starship Enterprise to destroy a facility belonging to Vosk, the leader of the Na'kuhl. He was unable to lock on to the building with targeting scanners, so he used visual scanners instead. (ENT: "Storm Front, Part II").

Transporter Console.

The transporter console was a component of the transporter system. Located in the transporter room, it manually controled the functions of the transporter and its maintenance. It was typically operated by the transporter chief or other operations division personnel.

Commonly seen aboard starships from the 22nd century all the way through the 24th century, the transporter console utilized three sliding controls (either manual levers or touch sensitive panels) to achieve transporter function. (ENT: "Broken Bow").

The console allowed the operator to monitor various functions of the transporter system, including pattern buffer operations, signal resolution and even matter stream contaminants. The transporter operator could also detect the presence of weapons or phaser fire within the transporter beam, and in some cases, could deactivate the weapon before re-materialization.

As yet another security feature, the console allowed the operator to erect a force field around the transporter chamber. Prior to the introduction of biofilter technology, the console controlled the activation of the system's decontamination feature. (TOS: "The Naked Time", TNG: "Violations", "The Most Toys", "Realm of Fear", "Relics")

By the late 24th century, site-to-site transport became more commonplace and did not require a transporter console. Site-to-site transports could be activated by voice commands to the computer fairly easily. A site-to-site transport from a starship to another starship could also be done, from any console, such as a bridge station. The use of a bridge station to control transporter operations was a feature of some starship bridges as early as the 23rd century. (VOY: "Bliss", Star Trek Nemesis, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)

By the 29th century, the transporter pad had been moved to the bridge of timeships such as Wells-class ships, and was operated from bridge stations. (VOY: "Relativity").

Transporter types.

Almost all Starfleet facilities and starships were equipped with at least one transporter device. The number of transporter devices differed; for example, most shuttlecraft had one transporter while Galaxy-class starships had twenty. (TNG: "11001001")

When cargo bays were present, these often contained cargo transporters.

The visual effects of transporter beams varied among the types used by different species of the galaxy, and the different models of transporter. In most cases, there was a delay and visual/auditory effect as the subject/thing being transported was dematerialized and rematerialized. However, transporters used by the Aldeans transported a group of children as well as teenager Wesley Crusher from the Enterprise-D to the planet Aldea almost instantly, with the only visual effect being the actual disappearing and reappearing. (TNG: "When The Bough Breaks")

22nd century Starfleet transporters showed a number of blue "sparkles" moving to one center, forming a small sphere that then disappeared (dematerialization).

23rd century Federation transporters, during the 2260s, showed a shower of golden "sparkles" during materialization and dematerialization. Klingon units during the same time emitted a solid golden "haze" effect.

By the 2280s, both races made use of transporters that appeared to utilize a "wave" effect, the Federation's being blue and the Klingons with golden yellow.

24th century Federation transporters emitted a distinct blue/white "sparkle" when used. Klingon transporters displayed a red/orange sparkle and Romulan transporters a green sparkle. Cardassian and Ferengi transporters displayed red/orange "swirls" of energy. Borg transporters displayed green "swirls" of energy.

Another difference was the speed by which a transporter operates. Compared to transporters used by the Hunters, a Gamma Quadrant species, in 2369, the Federation transporter was slow. (DS9: "Captive Pursuit")

Furthermore, each type of transporter beam had a distinctive sound pattern associated with it. (Listen to USS Voyager's transporter soundfile info) Along with differences in "tone," the volume of the sound also varied. Klingon transporters in the 2260s, for example, were completely silent. (TOS: "Day of the Dove")

Production of Mark V transporters was halted in 2356. By 2371, Mark VI transporters were considered outdated. Mark VII transporters were able to transport unstable biomatter, as long as the phase transition inhibitor was adjusted. (DS9: "Family Business").

Personnel.

The most commonly used type of transporter was the personnel transporter, designed primarily for personnel.

Personnel transporter rooms usually consisted of a transporter console, a transporter platform with an overhead molecular imaging scanner, primary energizing coils, and phase transition coils.

A pattern buffer with a biofilter was typically located on the deck below the transporter room. The outer hull of a starship incorporated a number of emitter pads for the transporter beam. (citation needed • edit)

Personnel transporters worked on the quantum level to enable secure transport of lifeforms. Biofilters built into the transporter systems prevented dangerous microorganisms from boarding the ship.

Transporter platforms had a variable number of pads, arranged in various layouts (by model and by manufacturing race):

The transporters installed on Earth's NX-class starships featured one large circular pad that took up the entire platform. It was large enough to transport two to three people, provided they stood close together.

By the 23rd century, Federation transporter platforms featured multiple independent pads, typically six in a hexagonal configuration. One- and two-pad platforms were also available.

This became something of a standard layout for Federation transporters well into the next century. As an example, the platforms used on board Galaxy-class starships had the familiar six individual pads, with an over-sized pad (in the center of the platform) that could handle small cargo.

The model of transporter installed on board Defiant-class starships featured a ¾ circular platform and three personnel pads in a triangular formation.

Some 23rd century Klingon platforms featured six hexagonal pads in a straight line. Others, such as those on Birds-of-Prey, featured a small number of platforms in a tight group. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Cardassian transporter platforms in the 24th century featured three to five triangular pads placed close together, such as those installed on Deep Space 9.

The personnel transporter was a reliable but sometimes fragile piece of equipment. The phase coils, in particular, were vulnerable to feedback patterns and could be severely damaged as result of power surges or low-level phaser fire. (TNG: "Brothers").

Cargo.

Cargo transporters were larger-scale versions of personnel transporters and were optimized for the transport of inanimate objects. These transporters were adapted to handle massive quantities of material. (TNG: "Symbiosis", "The Hunted", "Power Play")

In case of an emergency, cargo transporters could be reset to quantum-level mode, making lifeform transport possible. One reason for such a reconfiguration was to expedite an evacuation of personnel. (TNG: "11001001").

Cargo transporters were mostly found inside the cargo bay of a starship or space station. On Level 97-C of the Spacedock-type Starbase 74, there were four cargo transporters. (TNG: "11001001")

Dedicated cargo transporter platforms used by Starfleet in the 24th century typically featured one large circular or oblong pad. (Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Portable.

Portable transporters were self-contained units capable of direct site-to-site transport without using a fixed transporter pad. While having the capability to be moved from one place to another, they were known to be rather large and bulky. (DS9: "Visionary")

In 2372 of an alternate timeline, Tom Paris owned an advanced, portable, site-to-site transporter device capable of transporting itself along with its payload. This device was small enough to be carried easily on a person. (VOY: "Non Sequitur").

Emergency.

Emergency transporters were a special type that had a low power requirement; in case of a ship-wide power failure, the crew could use these transporters for emergency evacuation. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual; VOY: "Future's End").

In older technical manuals and other non-canon background materials, these are sometimes referred to as "evacuation" transporters or "combat" transporters. Typically, they are said to be platforms with a dozen or more pads each. In addition to emergency evacuation, they are used in any high-volume movement of personnel, such as in troop deployment.

By the late 24th century, emergency transport was further improved through Starfleet's development of a single-person, single-use, one-way emergency transport unit. The device was small enough to be hand-held and could transport to specified coordinates with a single touch.

Because of its extreme limitations, this device was not widely deployed and was still considered a prototype in 2379. (Star Trek Nemesis).

Micro-transporters.

By 2375, the Federation had developed a micro-transporter – essentially a scaled-down version of a regular transporter – which was capable of transporting small amounts of material within an almost-imperceptible span of time. When attached to a TR-116 rifle, it could be used to transport the bullet to anywhere within the transporter's range, where it would continue at its original velocity until striking a target. (DS9: "Field of Fire").

Non-"beam" transporters.

Certain species have experimented with transporters that differ in technology and theory than those used by most species encountered by the Federation.

The Sikarians were known to use a folded-space transporter, relying on dimensional shifting rather than matter-to-energy conversion. Similarly, the Iconians perfected their own form of transport, known as gateways, which were capable of near-instantaneous transport over vast distances. (VOY: "Prime Factors"; TNG: "Contagion").

Other transporters.

Folded-space transporter.

A folded-space transporter was a device that moved objects via a dimensional shift. In the Federation, the principles of folded-space transport, also called adaptive transport, were first described in the Elway Theorem, but it was abandoned in the mid-23rd century because of its dangerous effects on humanoid tissue.

The Ansata separatist movement of Rutia IV used a folded-space transporter called an inverter, based on the Elway Theorem. Ansata leader Kyril Finn credited the inverter with reinvigorating his group despite the fatal results of its use: it allowed his forces to move quickly and with complete surprise anywhere they wished, including areas protected by force fields, and to escape without fear of being tracked.

In 2366, the Ansata abducted Doctor Beverly Crusher of the USS Enterprise-D, hoping that she could find a way to reverse their cellular degradation. They also used the inverter to attack the Enterprise as they tried to force the Federation to intervene on Rutia IV. The Enterprise crew was eventually able to pinpoint the power source of the inverter and rescue Crusher. (TNG: "The High Ground")

The Sikarians of the Delta Quadrant employed a type of folded-space transporter called a spatial trajector, which had a range of some 40,000 light years. The crew of the USS Voyager attempted, without success, to negotiate for this technology in 2371. When some crewmembers obtained a trajector module through other means, they discovered the trajector was useless without the Sikarian's planet's unique geology and fundamentally incompatible with Federation technology. (VOY: "Prime Factors").

Multidimensional transporter device.

A multidimensional transporter device was a technology capable of reconfiguring transporters for use in beaming from one parallel universe to another. (DS9: "Through the Looking Glass")

It was first observed in use by Starfleet in 2371, when Miles O'Brien used it to kidnap Commander Benjamin Sisko, so that Sisko could take the place of his counterpart, who had recently died. (DS9: "Through the Looking Glass")

The next year, Jennifer Sisko used a multidimensional transporter to visit Sisko and his son, Jake. Jennifer subsequently took Jake to the parallel universe, leaving a multidimensional transporter behind, as an invitation for Captain Sisko to follow them. Although Sisko attempted to take Major Kira and Chief O'Brien with him, he found that the device was only programmed to allow him to make the transition. While there, he assisted the Terran rebels, who were fighting against the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, to complete construction on the ISS Defiant. (DS9: "Shattered Mirror")

In 2374, Bareil Antos used a multidimensional transporter to make the transition, during an attempt to steal an orb with Intendant Kira Nerys. Major Kira was eventually able to convince Bareil to betray her counterpart, and abandon the plot to steal the orb. (DS9: "Resurrection")

In 2375, Rom left a PADD with the schematics for the multidimensional transporter, which Chief O'Brien had given him to study, out at his mother's house on Ferenginar, where Grand Nagus Zek found it. Stealing it, Zek traveled to the parallel universe in an attempt to find new financial opportunities, but was subsequently captured by the Alliance. Regent Worf held Zek hostage, promising to release him to Quark and Rom in exchange for a cloaking device, which did not exist in the parallel universe. Using another transporter device, Ezri Tigan took the two Ferengi, along with the cloaking device, to the parallel universe, where they were able to free Zek. (DS9: "The Emperor's New Cloak").

Sub-quantum transporter.

The sub-quantum transporter was a flawed technology invented by Emory Erickson and studied by the Vulcan Science Academy. It was intended to be the replacement for the transporter used in the mid-22nd century. The sub-quantum transporter would beam an object or person from planet-to-planet, or any other distance, since the device had unlimited range. The system also required much less power to operate.

Erickson confessed in 2154, that even during the initial testing in 2139, he knew the sub-quantum transporter was a fundamentally flawed concept to begin with and would never deliver what it promised. Several men and women volunteered to test it were lost. Among these volunteers was his own son, Quinn. Erickson himself was left wheelchair bound.

In 2154, Erickson claimed he had made a breakthrough in his research. Starfleet approved new testing of the technology and the Enterprise NX-01 was used to carry out the experiment. The sub-quantum transporter successfully beamed a probe 40,000 kilometers away, a distance never before achieved using traditional transporter technology. There however was no actual breakthrough. Erickson was only using the test as a ruse to gain access to the Enterprise's powerful transporter system in order to attempt a rescue of Quinns transporter pattern, lost fifteen years earlier into the subspace node of The Barrens. (ENT: "Daedalus").

Temporal transporter.

Temporal transporters were an advancement on transporter technology, allowing the user to transport to a desired space and time. It gives off a chroniton flux of 0.003.

The timeship Relativity was equipped with a temporal transporter, located at the starboard-aft of their bridge. The transporter was used in unison with several other technologies, such as temporal sensors and temporal shields. Temporal sensors allowed for the precise moment and location to be chosen, and temporal shields were raised before making any temporal transports.

When Captain Braxton, commander of the Relativity, attempted to save the Starship Voyager from destruction due to a temporal incursion, he used a temporal transporter to beam back and retrieve Seven of Nine moments before the ship exploded.

After bringing Seven back several times, the crew of the Relativity surmised the place and time the temporal disruptor was placed on Voyager, and even caught the saboteur, and attempted to stop him when he was planting it. After beaming Seven back again, she succumbed to temporal psychosis, a psychological effect of using the transporter several times, that left the user mentally unstable, and could even lead to death. (VOY: "Relativity").

Translocator.

The translocator was an extremely advanced high-energy transporter device created by the Nyrians of the Delta Quadrant.

It had a transportation range of ten light years. Although incredibly powerful and precise, the translocator could only transport one person at a time at its maximum range. At this range, the translocator was limited to simultaneous transport of one person to and one person from a location. The translocator can, however, transport multiple at closer ranges as was said by Dammar when he planned to use it to transfer his entire security force at once. Extremely advanced, this device could even transport through shields and even increasing the shield strength had no apparent effect against it.

The Nyrians employed the device to gradually replace the crew of a vessel. Initially they claimed to be surprised by their sudden relocation, but, when sufficient numbers of Nyrians were aboard, they would take over the vessel and remove the rest of the crew. The main control of the translocator was found on the Nyrian biosphere vessel and it was there that the removed crew were placed. The device was permanently disabled in late 2373 by crew of the USS Voyager. (VOY: "Displaced")

By 2374, the pirate Tau had stolen the translocator technology for himself. He used the translocator to steal large quantities of technology from Voyager. To beam the mobile emitter, the main computer processor, a site-to-site transporter, the warp diagnostic assembly, five tricorders, three phaser rifles, photon torpedo casings, two antimatter injectors, and a supply of emergency rations, Tau had to transport the items from extreme close range and destabilized the shield perimeter of Voyager with weapons fire. The crew of Voyager was able to devise a means of blocking the translocator after the theft. (VOY: "Concerning Flight").

Limitations.

Time.

Although beaming was quick, it had its limits. A person could not stay within the matter stream too long. If this happened, his or her molecular pattern would degrade and the transporter signal would be lost.

This signal had to stay above fifty percent to be able to re-materialize the person. A time-frame of around ninety seconds was about the maximum before that fifty-percent signal loss was reached. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

The crew of the USS Voyager was able to extend this time by using pattern enhancers. In an effort to transport refugee telepaths to another world, Captain Janeway was able to hide many telepaths, in addition to a few of her crew, in the transporter buffers. This process, referred to as transporter suspension, produced serious complications. Because Voyager's guests and crew had to hide from Devore authorities repeatedly over the course of several weeks, acute cellular degradation was found in many of the refugees and in Tuvok. Although The Doctor was able to treat them, the degradation was cumulative. If the process had been continued, the people may not have survived the transport. (VOY: "Counterpoint")

The longest recorded instance of a person remaining in transporter suspension was that of Captain Montgomery Scott. He was able to survive for a period of seventy-five years, while suspended in an extensively modified transporter buffer and setting it to loop diagnostic mode, after the ship he was on crashed into a Dyson sphere and he was left with no way to call for help before he ran out of supplies. (TNG: "Relics").

Shields.

In general, transporters could not be used while the deflector shield of a ship was active, or a deflector shield was in place over the destination. However, it was possible to take advantage of EM "windows" that were created by the normal rotation of shield frequencies. During these periods, a hole opened, through which a transporter beam could pass. To use this window, timing needed to be absolute and usually required substantial computer assistance. This technique was theorized and first practiced in 2367, by USS Enterprise-D transporter chief Miles O'Brien. (TNG: "The Wounded")

Magnetic shields could also be used to prevent beaming. Rura Penthe was protected by such a shield to prevent prisoners from escaping. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

There was a type of shielding that allowed transport, although it had the limitation of not allowing phasers to be fired through it. (TOS: "A Taste of Armageddon")

The limitation of transporters versus shields was not universal, however. The Aldeans were able to pass through their own shielding using transporters, though the shielding was impenetrable to other forms of technology and weapons. Similarly, both the Borg and Dominion used transporter technology that was able to penetrate standard Federation shielding. Some adaptations, including rotating shield frequencies, could inhibit this ability but not eliminate it altogether. (TNG: "Q Who"; DS9: "The Jem'Hadar") Voth were able to beam entire starships into a single Voth city ship, despite its shield being raised and running at full capacity. (VOY: "Distant Origin")

In the final draft script of ENT: "Detained", Enterprise NX-01 lost a transporter lock on Captain Jonathan Archer and Ensign Travis Mayweather when an energy grid around Detention Complex 26, where those two officers were, was activated. This doesn't happen in the episode itself, though.

Warp speed.

Using transporters when a ship was at warp speed was very dangerous because warp fields created severe spatial distortions. (TNG: "The Schizoid Man") Therefore, transport at warp generally violated safety regulations. However, at-warp transport was attempted a handful of times, by making a few adjustments. These attempts were usually made under high-stakes combat conditions. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds", "The Emissary")

If both ships maintained exact velocity (that is, the warp field on both vessels must have the same integral value/factor), transport at warp speed was possible. Failure to maintain the same velocities would result in severe loss of the annular confinement beam (ACB) and pattern integrity.
If the ship was traveling at warp speed and the object to be beamed was stationary, transport was possible by synchronizing the ACB with the warp core frequency. This would cause difficulties in obtaining a good pattern lock. The Maquis were known to have used this method. (VOY: "Maneuvers")
Sometime before 2387, Montgomery Scott discovered the necessary formulas enabling transwarp beaming. These were passed on to his alternate reality counterpart, but using these to beam onto the USS Enterprise caused him to become stuck in a water pipe leading to a turbine. (Star Trek)
"Near-warp" transport was also possible, but required extensive adjustments to the transport procedure. It involved the transporting ship energizing its transporters at the same time as it dropped out of warp for just long enough for the matter stream to be transmitted. The ship would then immediately jump back into warp.

Persons who experienced this form of transport subsequently remarked that there had been a brief sensation of being merged with an inanimate object, before the transporter beam reassembled them.

Near-warp transport has also been referred to as "touch-and-go downwarping". (TNG: "The Schizoid Man")

Faster-than-warp speeds.

In 2374, Voyager personnel successfully used Intrepid-class transporters to beam stranded crew members from the USS Dauntless while both ships were traveling within a quantum slipstream. Voyager accelerated on a pursuit course during the transport, bypassing the velocity limitations imposed by warp field dynamics. (VOY: "Hope and Fear")

Based on Voyager's launch date, presumably an unmodified Mark VII transporter was used for transport at quantum slipstream velocities.

Range.

During the 22nd century, standard Earth transporter systems had a range of 10,000 kilometers; however, by the 24th century, the maximum range of standard transporter systems was about 40,000 kilometers, though a special type of transport, called subspace transport, could beam over several light years. (ENT: "Rajiin"; TNG: "A Matter Of Honor", "Bloodlines") Many 24th century starships were equipped with an emergency transporter system, but these only had a range of, at best, ten kilometers. (VOY: "Future's End")

Although having a maximum range of about 40,000 kilometers, some conditions adversely affect the effective range. In at least one instance – due to missing components of Voyager's primary computer systems – the starship Voyager had to be within five hundred kilometers of a planet's surface to use transporters on Kathryn Janeway and a hologram of Leonardo da Vinci. (VOY: "Concerning Flight")

For context, five hundred kilometers above the surface of Earth would place the ship inside the ionosphere, but it would be still around one hundred kilometers higher than the orbit maintained by the International Space Station.

The maximum range of a transporter differed by species, depending on what kind of technologies they used to build it. The transporter with the longest known range was that of the Sikarians, with a range of about 40,000 light years; however, this was due to their planet's large quartz mantle, which amplified their transporter signal. Because of this, Sikarian transporter technology worked only on their homeworld. (VOY: "Prime Factors")

Gary Seven's mysterious sponsors on the Assigners' planet possessed transporter technology with a range of at least a thousand light years, according to Spock. Montgomery Scott later noted that Seven's beam was so powerful it fused all recording circuits, and therefore he could not say exactly how far it transported Seven, or even whether it transported him through time. Exactly how they achieved this effect remains unknown, since there has been no subsequent contact with them, and they hide their entire homeworld in some fashion. There were, however, other indications that their technology was considerably advanced beyond that of the 23rd century Federation. (TOS: "Assignment: Earth")

The Vedala, one of the oldest space-faring races, also possessed transporter technology capable of beaming people and equipment to and from other planets (presumably in different star systems).(TAS: "The Jihad") Dominion transporter technology, enhanced with a homing transponder, was said to have a range of at least three light years. (DS9: "Covenant").



Radiation and substances

Some forms of radiation and substances, usually minerals such as kelbonite, prevented transporters from working. In most instances, the interference was caused by scattering of the annular confinement beam, or sensor interference preventing a transporter lock. Interference could be natural or artificial and usually occurred during surface-to-starship transport but might also occur between vessels. Examples of other radiation and substance limitations are:

Magnesite

Magnesite was a mineral which could interfere with sensor and transporter functions. (TNG: "Firstborn", "Inheritance"; DS9: "Nor the Battle to the Strong")

In the mid-22nd century, Starfleet used magnesite in the production of their warp reactors. (ENT: "Bound")

In 2151, Malcolm Reed and Travis Mayweather broke a drilling rig's bit when the drill hit a layer of magnesite on Archer's Comet. (ENT: "Breaking the Ice")

In 2154, Harrad-Sar, an Orion trader, offered Captain Archer the coordinates of a planet rich in magnesite as part of a deal between Starfleet and the Orion Syndicate. (ENT: "Bound")

In the 24th century, magnesite fuel had replaced wood as the standard material for fires in the Federation. (VOY: "Tattoo")

In 2370, the Duras sisters and their associate Gorta illegally mined over ten thousand kilograms of magnesite from the Pakled-owned planet of Kalla III. The USS Enterprise-D tracked the magnesite to a Yridian buyer while the transaction was still taking place. Commander Riker purchased the Yridians' magnesite, and then beamed it into space and fired phasers on it to expose the Duras sisters' cloaked Bird-of-Prey. (TNG: "Firstborn")

The storage crate for the magnesite was a re-use of the Angosian police shuttle escape pod from "The Hunted", which was later seen again as Bok's Ferengi probe in "Bloodlines".

In 2371, an away team from USS Voyager was investigating magnesite deposits on Avery III when they were captured by Vidiians. (VOY: "Faces")

Magnesite was used in the hulls of Kazon fighters. (VOY: "Initiations")

A Federation hospital on Ajilon Prime was located near a large deposit of magnesite, preventing Julian Bashir and Jake Sisko from transporting to the surface in 2373. (DS9: "Nor the Battle to the Strong")

The surface of the planet Arakis Prime had a layer of magnesite dust. (VOY: "One Small Step")

Magnesite could provide partial protection against antimatter radiation. After an antimatter accident, Brin's people in the Delta Quadrant hid in magnesite-rich caves and lined makeshift environmental suits with magnesite to survive the radiation. However, they still suffered from widespread radiation poisoning. (VOY: "Friendship One").


Thoron radiation.

Thoron radiation is a type of radiation with many uses.

It was used primarily as a method of interfering with sensors and transporter systems, (DS9: "Emissary", "The Way of the Warrior"; VOY: "Basics, Part II", "The Cloud") seen as a byproduct of alien appearances, (DS9: "If Wishes Were Horses"; VOY: "Sacred Ground") used for medical purposes, (VOY: "Basics, Part II", "Flashback") and used as a basis for weaponry (although it could result in instability in the weapon). (VOY: "Retrospect", "Warlord")

High levels of thoron radiation were found around the Nechisti shrine. (VOY: "Sacred Ground")

Antithorons can be generated on a large scale by Intrepid-class starships and have been used both to interfere with force fields and decontaminate planetary crusts prior to mining. (VOY: "Hunters", "Tattoo") Thoron radiation may also hinder transporter operations, presumably by interfering with sensor readings.

To 21st century science, thoron is a naturally-occurring radioactive isotope created by the decay of thorium. It is also known as radon-220, has a very short half-life of about one minute, exists as a gas at room temperature, and produces alpha radiation. It presents a radiation health hazard in nature much like radon, but is sometimes used in radiotherapy. To 24th century science, thoron radiation appears to be something wholly distinct from simple alpha radiation.

Dampening field.

A dampening field or damping field was an energy field that interfered with power emissions within its effective range of operation. Dampening fields could drain an area of power, interfere with communications, block sensor readings including transporter locks, and prevent the operation of phasers and other large power systems.

Dampening fields were employed by a wide variety of species in varying circumstances for varying reasons.

The Vulcan's Forge was protected by a dampening field; a reason the Syrrannites hid in the Vulcan's Forge. (ENT: "The Forge")

In 2369, the damping fields of the runabout USS Ganges were barely operating after the ship returned from a routine mission into the Gamma Quadrant and was forced to return to the station due to a power failing. (DS9: "Q-Less")

A broad band damping field was able to block the communication from a penal moon with starships. (DS9: "Battle Lines")

In 2371, Tolian Soran erected a dampening field around his laboratory on the Amargosa observatory so no one would discover his plan to annihilate the Amargosa star. (Star Trek Generations)

Cardassian space stations are often equipped with a dampening field before they are abandoned, thus trapping anyone who boards the station, rendering them unable to communicate with those outside. (DS9: "Empok Nor") Similarly, the Voth and Night Aliens employ large-scale dampening fields capable of rendering entire starships powerless, mitigating any danger they may pose. (VOY: "Distant Origin", "Night")

Tactically, dampening fields may be used in coordination with transporter scramblers or to prevent the use of phasers and other energy weapons. The threat posed to operations by dampening fields was sufficient for the Federation to develop the TR-116 rifle as an alternative to phaser rifles, but only one prototype was built and the weapon was never regularly used by the Federation. (DS9: "Field of Fire")

In 2374, while the USS Voyager crew was asleep as part of a collective unconsciousness, part of the delusion created by the dream species was that they had attacked Voyager and placed a localized dampening field around it, disabling the ship's engines, weapons and shields. (VOY: "Waking Moments")

In 2376, while on a trip during shore leave to study a micro-nebula Seven of Nine and Tuvok were captured by Penk who used a dampening field to take their shuttle's weapons, shields and engines offline. (VOY: "Tsunkatse")

After being marooned inside an energy barrier on Ledos in 2378, Seven of Nine used the deflector array from her downed class 2 shuttle to generate a dampening field to neutralize the barrier's source. (VOY: "Natural Law").

Ionic interference.

Ionic interference is a type of naturally-occurring interference caused by ions.

Heavy ionic interference near a plasma streamer in the Igo sector prevented the USS Enterprise-D from using a tractor beam to tow the USS Yosemite out of the streamer in 2369. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

The atmosphere of Dozaria was ripe with ionic interference, preventing the use of transporters and sensors. (DS9: "Indiscretion")

After being trapped on 1947 Earth, Rom speculated that the reason his, Quark's, and Nog's universal translators weren't working could be from ionic interference. He also thought it might be caused by a solar flare, or possibly nuclear fission. (DS9: "Little Green Men")

Ionic interference was one of the factors Harry Kim took into account when he extrapolated a more accurate course for the Friendship 1 probe in 2378. (VOY: "Friendship One").

Ion storm.

An ion storm (also called an ionic storm or ionic front) is a type of magnetic storm which contains ionically charged particles, traveling at thousands of kilometers an hour. Both planetary and spaceborne ion disturbances can intensify to the point where navigation is dangerous, and transporter use all but impossible. At higher levels ion storms can damage or destroy spacecraft.

In 2129, an ion storm overloaded the plasma conduits on a Kantare supply ship, causing it to crash land on an unidentified planet. (ENT: "Oasis")

An ion storm was on a course between Enterprise NX-01 and a planet with a nitrogen sulfide atmosphere in 2151, but Captain Archer elected to weather it rather than change course. (ENT: "Broken Bow")

In 2154, Phlox likened placing Enterprise's crew into protective comas to shutting down the ship's main computer to protect it from an ion storm. (ENT: " Doctor's Orders")

Ion storms were prevalent in the Denorios belt and had been since at least the 22nd century. In the Bajoran year 9174, Akorem Laan's lightship was caught in an ion storm there and was severely damaged. (DS9: "Explorers", "Accession")

The Kalandra star system had many ion storms. In 2375, Captain Benjamin Sisko and General Martok expressed their concerns the storms would reveal the Federation Alliance starships to the Dominion. (DS9: "The Emperor's New Cloak")

The Panora system also has constant ion storms. (DS9: "For the Uniform")

In the 23rd century, Constitution-class starships were equipped with an ion pod, allowing the starships to acquire data in conditions that defeated their conventional sensor platforms. Starships traversing ion storms were buffeted by the storms "weather" effects and subjected to tremendous hull pressures and stress. Starfleet used the measurement of a storm's relative effect on the ship as a supplementary data point to judge the intensity of an ion storm, and hazards it posed. Minor but noticeable "natural vibrations" were labeled Force-2 on an incremental scale. Above Force-7, the starship was at increased risk and subject to the captain's call for red alert status. (TOS: "Court Martial")

The quasar-like electromagnetic phenomenon Murasaki 312 ionized an entire sector, including four solar systems in 2267. (TOS: "The Galileo Seven")

Later that year, an ion storm near the Halkan homeworld resulted in a power surge in the Enterprise's transporter, causing momentary interdimensional contact with a parallel universe. Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, Commander Scott, and Lieutenant Uhura, who were beaming up to the Enterprise at the time, materialized in the other universe, transposing with their counterparts from that universe, who experienced an identical accident at the same time. Later, after reviewing the events which led up to the accident, the Enterprise crewmembers were able to recreate the power surge using energy tapped from the ship's engines, and return to their own universe. (TOS: "Mirror, Mirror")

The surface of Mab-Bu VI was ravaged by ionic cyclones and electromagnetic storms. (TNG: "Power Play")

In 2351, an ion storm struck an area on Invernia II. Richard and Julian Bashir sought shelter from it. (DS9: "Melora")

In late-2371, when the USS Defiant was preparing to enter the Bajoran Wormhole against orders from Admiral Toddman, the Admiral contacted them and repeated his orders to not enter the Gamma Quadrant. Captain Benjamin Sisko and Major Kira Nerys pretended that his transmission was being garbled by an ion storm, and proceeded anyway. (DS9: "The Die is Cast")


In 2374, Morn faked his death in an ion storm. His cargo ship was supposedly caught in one. (DS9: "Who Mourns for Morn?")

Ionic storms above level 8 were a threat to Intrepid-class starships. The USS Voyager encountered level 7 and level 8 storms in the Delta Quadrant in 2375. (VOY: "Once Upon a Time")

A Borg sphere was heavily damaged by an ion storm in 2375. As a result, it was chosen by the Voyager crew to be the target of a raid to steal a transwarp coil. (VOY: "Dark Frontier")

Not long after, Chakotay asked Janeway whether the turbulence of chaotic space was an ion storm. (VOY: "The Fight")

A Druoda series 5 long-range tactical armor unit was capable of flying through an ion storm and still reaching its eventual target. (VOY: "Warhead")

Late in 2375, Janeway told Rudolph Ransom that ion storms were one of the problems Voyager had had to face over the past five years in the Delta Quadrant. (VOY: "Equinox")

In 2376, Neelix claimed that he "always enjoyed a good ion storm" on Talax. (VOY: "Fair Haven")

In 2379, Captain Picard used a nearby ion storm as an excuse to take the shuttle Argo to the surface of Kolarus III in search of positronic net signals. (Star Trek Nemesis).

Hyperonic radiation.

Hyperonic radiation is a type of radiation that is lethal to most humanoids. This type of radiation also renders transporters inoperable and randomizes phaser fire (although Lt. Cmdr. Data adapted a phaser using his own circuitry to be able to fire in such an environment).

The atmosphere of the planet Tau Cygna V had an abundance of hyperonic radiation that killed one-third of the crew of the SS Artemis when it crash landed on the planet in 2274. The survivors adapted to the radiation and thrived to build a colony of over 15,000. (TNG: "The Ensigns of Command")

In 2369, Doctor Julian Bashir bombarded a sample of the aphasia virus, grown on tetracitrus gel, with hyperonic radiation at 430 millirads. (DS9: "Babel")

Electromagnetic storm.

An electromagnetic storm is an intense phenomenon where a region of space experiences a very strong electromagnetic field. This is most analogous to a rainstorm. Normal rain poses no threat, but can be incredibly dangerous in heavy amounts. The same applies to electromagnetic fields. In small amounts, electromagnetic fields will not cause noticeable disruption to electronic systems. However, in large amounts, they can cause charged particles (for example, in wires) to feel a significant force, moving them. Since wires aren't usually free to move, the flow of electrons can become extremely disrupted. This can also be extremely hazardous for delicate systems, such as those found on starships. Transporters and sensors were particularly sensitive to these disruptions. (TOS: "The Gamesters of Triskelion", "Mudd's Women"; VOY: "Tattoo")

Magnetic fields are generally rated in microteslas (μT, 1 T = 1 kg / (C × s) in SI). The Earth's magnetic field is in tens of microteslas, which doesn't cause significant problems to existing systems. Electromagnetic storms are probably rated in the magnitude of milliteslas or whole teslas. With wires, such intense fields can only be felt within extreme proximity to the wire with an incredible amount of current. Such close proximity could allow electrons to "jump" from the wire to whatever was nearby (as they do in spark plugs), and the amount of current would be fatal to Humans.

Electromagnetic storms can be found the atmosphere of a planet (for example, Galorndon Core and Melona IV) or a moon (for example, Mab-Bu VI). (TNG: "The Enemy", "Silicon Avatar", "Power Play")

It is possible, albeit rare, for sentient consciousness to be maintained in the magnetic patterns of electromagnetic storms. In the 19th century, a group of criminals from Ux-Mal, exiled to a moon of Mab-Bu VI, had their consciousnesses separated from their bodies. These consciousnesses lived in the storm for five centuries, surfacing twice to take over the bodies of Federation starships: the USS Essex in 2167, and the USS Enterprise-D in 2368. (TNG: "Power Play")

In the script for DS9: "Emissary", Sisko suggested to Miles O'Brien that he himself and his son, Jake, could have beamed aboard space station Deep Space 9, if they'd known that operating the station's airlocks was meanwhile problematic. According to O'Brien, though, use of the facility's transporter systems "wouldn't have been possible" due to "stray nucleonic emissions" that the station's crew needed to track down before they could "safely reinstate transporter operations."

Devices.

Over the centuries, numerous devices have been designed to overcome some limitations of transporters, and still others to intentionally interfere with transporters.

By the 24th century, usage of pattern enhancers was common aboard most Starfleet vessels, most often deployed to a planet's surface during emergency situations where transport was critical.

Devices that were specifically designed to block transporter signals or to interfere with them were usually deployed under hostile conditions, thus making use of a transporter impossible or very dangerous and hampering maneuverability of personnel or material. Some of these devices were:

Transporter scrambler.

A transport scrambler (also called a pattern scrambler) was a device designed to discourage transporter use in a certain area by interfering with the annular confinement beam, causing the transported object to rematerialize in a random pattern. Transport scramblers could be programmed to recognize particular signals and only interfere with enemy transporter systems.

During the Federation-Klingon War (2372-73), the Klingons used transport scramblers in ground battles to prevent the enemy from deploying troops effectively. (DS9: "Nor the Battle to the Strong")

The Cardassians routinely booby-trapped their abandoned facilities, such as Empok Nor, with pattern scramblers rigged to activate if they detect a non-Cardassian transporter signal. Miles O'Brien remarked that these devices could be "messy". (DS9: "Empok Nor")

Soukara was protected by transporter scramblers, making transport to any area of the planet impossible. (DS9: "Change of Heart")

Transport inhibitor.

A transport inhibitor was a device that blocked transporters attempting to dematerialize objects in a specific area.

In 2375, Lieutenant Commander Data used a transport inhibitor aboard the Federation mission scoutship to prevent himself from being beamed away by an USS Enterprise-E shuttlecraft. Several portable transport inhibitors were later deployed by Enterprise-E personnel on the surface of Ba'ku to prevent the Son'a from forcibly removing the inhabitants of the Ba'ku village. Due to their large size and easily noticeable positions, several were destroyed by Son'a shuttles. (Star Trek: Insurrection).

Remat detonator.

A remat detonator was a weapon designed to disrupt a person's pattern during transporter rematerialization, with lethal effects. The device could be as small as two square millimeters in size, allowing it to be secretly implanted in a person's body or their clothing. Remat detonators were typically used by the Romulans, but were also sold on the black market. Federation transporters were programmed to scan for remats, however, it was possible to keep one from being detected.

Silaran Prin used a remat detonator to murder former Bajoran Resistance informant Trentin Fala in 2373. (DS9: "The Darkness and the Light").


Scattering field.

A particle scattering field was an energy field that, when projected into a planet's ionosphere, caused a hyperionization that disrupted all electromagnetic and subspace carriers, effectively rendering communications and transporter use through impossible. If the scattering field was thin, it may be possible to boost the annular confinement beam to allow transport through.

In 2368, the Tamarians induced a particle scattering field above the planet El-Adrel IV, where they had beamed Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Captain Dathon. This ensured that both the captains were trapped on the surface, though the Tamarians left the sensor channels clear so that the situation could be monitored. (TNG: "Darmok")

Later that year, in the first test of the soliton wave technology, Doctor Ja'Dar planned for a facility on Lemma II to disperse the soliton wave using a scattering field. (TNG: "New Ground")

In 2374, Kovin erected a scattered field around his vessel to prevent the USS Voyager from establishing a transporter lock on him. (VOY: "Retrospect")

In 2377, a group of freed Hirogen prey holograms led by Iden used a scattering field to hide their ship from Hirogen hunting parties. However, their ship still produced a polarized EM signature detectable to sensors. (VOY: "Flesh and Blood").


In 2375, Vedek Fala gave a small crystal to Colonel Kira Nerys, as a gift. The device, of unknown origin and design, was actually a transporter tag, which instantly transported her to Empok Nor, several light years distant. (DS9: "Covenant")

Also, in 2293, Spock used a viridium patch to locate and lock on to Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy on Rura Penthe. While not a transporter device, it was used to locate the subject with the transporter. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Injuries.

Although someone with minor injuries could be transported, this was not possible when the injuries were extensive. When the brain stem was damaged and autonomic functions were failing, transport was only possible if a volunteer controlled the person's autonomic functions. This was done by placing a neural pad at the base of the skull of both individuals and then connecting both people via a medical tricorder. This way, autonomic functions could be stabilized for a short period of time, making transport possible. (TNG: "Transfigurations")

In the 22nd century, a Skagaran/Human hybrid, Bethany, was successfully transported from a planet's surface to a starship after suffering a gunshot wound to the torso. She was treated for the wound and recovered shortly thereafter. (ENT: "North Star").

Special operations.

Disabling active weapons.

By the 24th century, the transporter had the capability to disable any active weapon during transport. This could be accomplished by removing the discharged energy from the transporter signal, or by "deactivating" the weapon itself. (TNG: "The Most Toys").

The transporter was also capable of removing weapons entirely during transport. When the Defiant beamed aboard survivors from a damaged Jem'Hadar ship, the transporter was programmed to remove the crew's disruptors and other weapons. (DS9: "To the Death").

Falsifying disintegration by a phaser.

Although transports usually took several seconds to complete, it was possible to transport an individual to safety a split-second before they were to be struck by a phaser beam, making it appear as though they had been disintegrated. By 2373, Section 31 had access to such technology and used it to fake the death of operative Luther Sloan in front of the Romulan Continuing Committee. Since William Ross later told Julian Bashir that Tal Shiar chief Koval had fired a phaser at Sloan, rather than a disruptor pistol, it is likely the weapon had been specially modified and was integral to creating the illusion. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges").

Connecting two transporters.

Two transporters could be bridged together by means of a system interlock to facilitate direct transport between them. Federation vessels could activate other Federation vessels' transporters remotely by means of this. This meant that two transporters could be connected to each other to allow beaming in situations where it would otherwise not be possible due to ionic or some other type of interference. (TNG: "Symbiosis", "Realm of Fear")

First, a remote link to the other transporter had to be established, then the system interlock needed to be engaged and the pattern buffers of both transporters were synchronized. When the phase transition coils were in stand-by mode, energizing could commence.

A side-effect of using this form of transport to beam through ionic interference was that the person who was beamed might feel a slight tingling, due to static. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

Intra-ship beaming.

In the mid 2260s, beaming from a transporter pad to a location within the same vessel was a very risky proposition. The limitations of the technology at that time made it highly probable that any error would result in the subject rematerializing within a bulkhead, deck, or other structure. As such, the procedure had rarely been attempted. (TOS: "Day of the Dove") The first occurrence of this procedure was used without incident, a century earlier. (ENT: "Chosen Realm")

The reasoning for the difficulties in intra-ship beaming is not known. A technology capable of transporting a subject over thousands of kilometers without error should be able to do so over a few dozen meters easily, though one could speculate that the emitters are focused away from the ship, as shown in the technical manuals.
From the writing standpoint of the episode itself, though, if such capability did exist, then it would have been an easy matter to free the trapped crewmen in the lower decks.

In 2364, Commander William T. Riker and Lieutenant Tasha Yar used intra-ship beaming, during a rescue. When cargo instead of passengers was beamed aboard, Riker ordered Yar to beam the cargo to the hold, without a second thought. (TNG: "Symbiosis")

Intra-ship transport was apparently both safe and commonplace by the 2360s, as, beyond the aforesaid example, the technique was used a number of times aboard the USS Enterprise-D:

Captain Jean-Luc Picard and First Officer Riker both beamed from a transporter room directly onto the bridge. (TNG: "11001001")
When several Bringloidi were beamed aboard, carrying assorted farm animals, Picard ordered them beamed into Cargo Hold 7. (TNG: "Up The Long Ladder")
While escaping a mind-controlled crew, Wesley Crusher engaged a program that beamed him from Deck 36 to Transporter Room 3. (TNG: "The Game")
Ambassador Ves Alkar's assistant, Liva, was beamed away from her quarters on command from Captain Picard to prevent her being used by Alkar. (TNG: "Man of the People")
When rogue Ferengi briefly took over the Enterprise, a plan was devised to capture them by beaming them one-by-one onto a transporter pad secured by a force field. (TNG: "Rascals")
Picard, Riker, and several others transported from a shuttle in its bay directly to the observation lounge. (TNG: "Gambit, Part II")

In the first draft script of DS9: "Emissary", Benjamin Sisko desperately suggested using intra-ship beaming to rescue the body of his deceased wife Jennifer Sisko from wreckage aboard the USS Saratoga during the Battle of Wolf 359. He was told by a Bolian security officer, however, that none of the Saratoga's transporters were functional. This discussion was excluded from the revised final draft of the episode's script.

"Site-to-site" transport.


The earliest known example of site-to-site transport carried out by Federation personnel occurred in 1986, though the transporter was on board a vessel that had traveled back in time from 2286. The craft which possessed site-to-site capabilities was Klingon in origin but had been stolen by the crew of the late starship Enterprise. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home)

By at least 2268, limitations in pattern buffer and targeting scanner technology had been sufficiently overcome that it was now possible to transport from one location directly to another without the need to re-materialize the subject in between. (TOS: "A Piece of the Action") In the 24th century, this operation was enabled and controlled by the site-to-site transport interlocks. (TNG: "Brothers")

Klingon Site to site Transport
A Klingon transporter performs a site-to-site transport
Site-to-site transport held the matter stream in the pattern buffer while the ACB was re-targeted. Afterward, the matter stream was redirected to the new location and normal re-materialization was carried out.

Using this technique, any computer terminal with access to the main transporter sub-systems, or any applicable subroutine, could be used to control transporter operations, including bridge terminals. This technique could only be utilized when sufficient energy was available to the transporters; all normal transporter limitations would still apply. (Star Trek Nemesis)

This procedure was particularly useful in emergency medical situations where time was of the essence. Subjects could be beamed directly to sickbay, where treatment could be carried out quickly. (TNG: "Tapestry", Star Trek: First Contact)

In 2368, Ensign Wesley Crusher used this method in an attempt to outrun those (especially Riker and Worf) whose minds had been taken over by a Ktarian game. (TNG: "The Game").

Transporter trace.

By the 23rd century, it was common practice to store a "transporter trace" (a stored copy of a subject's molecular pattern as scanned during a normal transporter cycle). While it was usually kept for security purposes, in extreme situations, the transporter could be modified to use an older trace pattern in place of the latest scan for the purpose of re-configuring the matter stream during molecular conversion, effectively replacing a subject with a younger version of itself during matter re-construction. The first known use of this technique was in 2270, when it was used to restore the crew of the USS Enterprise, whose aging had been reversed, to their adult versions. (TAS: "The Counter-Clock Incident") Another notable use of a transporter trace was in 2364, to restore Captain Jean-Luc Picard after an unsuccessful attempt by an alien energy being to merge with him. (TNG: "Lonely Among Us")

The transporter trace itself was regularly stored for the duration of the person's tour of duty; when that person was reassigned, his or her trace was deleted. (TNG: "Unnatural Selection")

When necessary, a person's DNA could be used to create a transporter trace. This technique was utilized by Chief Miles O'Brien and Lieutenant Geordi La Forge during a mission to the Darwin Genetic Research Station in 2365.

Transporter traces were also used as a medical tool, to help in spotting anomalies at the molecular level. When comparing the transporter ID traces of Deanna Troi, Data and Miles O'Brien before and after they were taken over by Ux-Mal criminals, Doctor Beverly Crusher was able to detect that their nervous systems were generating high levels of synaptic and anionic energy. (TNG: "Power Play") Another example of such an application was in 2373, when The Doctor used Harry Kim's transporter trace records to determine when he had been infected with Taresian DNA. (VOY: "Favorite Son")

Deflecting the transporter beam.

A transporter beam could be deflected to different coordinates by a tractor beam, so that the objects being transported would rematerialize at a point other than the intended target coordinates. Such action could only be detected by examining the transporter log. An unusual amount of antigraviton particles would be present in the emitter coil, as those particles do not occur naturally but are used by tractor beams. Locating the coordinates at which rematerialization took place was not possible; however, it was possible to calculate the point of origin of the tractor beam itself. (TNG: "Attached")

Single-person transport.

A transporter could be programmed to only allow one particular person to be transported to and from the transporter pad. Thus programmed, no other persons could use the transporter. If the use of the transporter was further prohibited, by use of an unknown access code, using the transporter was almost impossible.

The only way to circumvent this lock-out was to use the transporter trace from the person who re-programmed the transporter and to input this into the transporter while it was in its testing mode. When in testing mode, a transporter would accept simulated inputs. When the main computer could not be used, several tricorders could be networked together to control the transporter. To circumvent the lock-out, access codes from a few bridge officers were necessary to force it in a recall loop. Consequently, anyone and everyone who transported would be seen by the transporter as the person who had re-programmed it in the first place. (TNG: "Brothers").

Faking a transporter accident.

A transporter accident could be faked in such a way that a transporter chief would think a person died during transport. For example, this could be done by adjusting the carrier wave of a second transporter to the carrier wave of the first. The person would then beam off the first transporter while the second transporter beamed in a small amount of genetically identical material.

Only a doctor could determine if this material was really the person in question. The transporter trace could be used to compare the logged DNA pattern "trace" to the "dead" person. Single-bit errors might be detected, if the "dead" material was replicated.

Only transporters that operated on the same subspace frequency as the spoofed transporter can be used for this type of ruse. For example, some Romulan transporters were capable of this.

Another indicator of such a ruse would be a temporary increase of the matter to energy ratio, while transport was in progress. However, this increase could fall within the nominal operational parameters of the transporter in question. Investigation of the transporter logs would be necessary to find evidence of a second transporter signal. (TNG: "Data's Day")

Emergency mass beaming.

Some transporters could transport large numbers of people, and either rematerialize them simultaneously, or in groups. However, this was not often done, due to safety reasons. In 2268, the crew of the USS Enterprise used their transporters in this manner to capture members of the crew of a Klingon ship. In 2377, the USS Voyager transported over two hundred Klingons off a battle cruiser by expanding the transporter's buffer capacity. (TOS: "Day of the Dove"; VOY: "Prophecy")

Narrow confinement beam.

Setting a transporter's annular confinement beam to a narrow width would sometimes allow it to penetrate some types of shielding or other interference. One noteworthy application of this was to penetrate Borg shields, a procedure developed by scientists Magnus and Erin Hansen. (VOY: "Dark Frontier")

Skeletal lock.

USS Voyager Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres invented an emergency measure of locking a transporter beam onto minerals in the target's skeletal system, in order to allow transport when bio-signs could not be detected from transporting origins. This allowed personnel to be transported back to the ship, even if regular means of transporter lock failed. She came up with it after a conventional signal lock failed, during an emergency beam-out from a Borg cube in 2373. (VOY: "Scorpion")

Offensive Use.

In 2374, pirates used transporters to steal the USS Voyager's main computer and other critical equipment, rendering the ship's weapons, navigation and propulsion inoperable. This led Tom Paris to remark, "I feel like we've just been mugged." (VOY: "Concerning Flight")

The Vulcan Chu'lak modified a projectile weapon by adding a micro-transporter, allowing him to fire bullets through walls into other rooms. (DS9: "Field of Fire")

In the final draft script of ENT: "Detained", Commander Tucker hatched a plan to beam concussive charges into guard towers at Detention Complex 26. In the final version of the episode, though, he opts for an entirely different attack strategy.

Medical transports.

Fetal Transport.

A fetal transport was a medical procedure where an infant was transported directly out of the uterus. It was generally employed when complications during birth endanger mother and/or child.

During the birth of Naomi Wildman, a Human-Ktarian hybrid, in 2372, her exocranial ridges became lodged in Samantha Wildman's uterine wall, threatening to cause internal bleeding. Rather than risk repositioning the child, The Doctor performed a fetal transport into an incubator, which caused a slight hemocythemic imbalance. (VOY: "Deadlock")

According to the DVD commentary for Star Trek, in early drafts of the script the transporter was used in the birth of James T. Kirk. In an emergency, a fetal transport could be used, but, being an "inexact science" in the 23rd century, this came at the cost of the mother's life. While J.J. Abrams thought it was a "really cool" idea that the technology could be used in this way, the plan was dropped because the production staff didn't want to introduce the transporter so early in the film, and felt that the end of such a traumatic opening scene needed the "victory" of Winona Kirk's survival.

Other Operations.

Transporter Code 14.

Transporter Code 14 was a transporter procedure used during the 2360s to destroy an object while being dematerialized in a transporter beam.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard ordered the USS Enterprise-D to perform a Code 14 transport on the Tox Uthat to destroy it, preventing 27th century Vorgon criminals from taking it back to their time. (TNG: "Captain's Holiday").

Near-Warp Transport.

Near-warp transport, also known as touch-and-go downwarping, is a process whereby a starship briefly drops out of warp speed in order to use the transporter, and then quickly returns to warp as the object or person being transported is still materializing. To execute this procedure required precise timing and precision.

This procedure was used by the crew of the USS Enterprise-D in 2365 when transporting an away team down to Gravesworld to respond to a distress call from that planet. Due to a concurrent medical emergency on the USS Constantinople, Commander Riker suggested using near-warp transport in order to minimize the amount of time it would take the Enterprise to reach the Constantinople. After materialization was complete, Counselor Troi noted that, for a moment, she had felt as though she had been stuck in a nearby wall, and Lieutenant Worf informed her that is indeed what happened to her, a side effect of the near-warp transport. (TNG: "The Schizoid Man").

Transporter accidents.

Though transporters were a relatively safe way to maneuver from one point to another, there were nonetheless multiple cases of transporter accidents. By the mid-24th century, there were only an average of two or three transporter accidents a year across the Federation, yet millions of people were transported every day. Because of transporter accidents, some people suffered from transporter phobia or experienced transporter shock. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")

Transporter psychosis.

In early models of the transporter, errors at the molecular level during rematerialization could cause serious damage to living subjects over time. As a result of these errors, some subjects developed a syndrome that was named "transporter psychosis", first diagnosed on Delinia II in 2209. (TNG: "Realm of Fear").