Editing Technology in Star Trek (section)

=== Working principle ===
[[File:Star Trek Warp Field.svg|250px|thumb|right|A visualization of a warp field&mdash;the ship rests in a bubble of normal space.]]
The basic functional principle of the warp drive in ''Star Trek'' is the same for all spaceships. It was originally conceived of by a strong energy source, usually called a'' warp core ''or sometimes ''intermix chamber'', generates a high-energy [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]]. This plasma is transported to ''warp field generators'' via lines that are reminiscent of pipes. These generators are effectively coils in ''warp nacelles'' protruding from the spaceship. The warp nacelles generate a subspace field, the ''warp field'' or a ''warp bubble'', which distort space-time and propels the bubble and spaceship in the bubble forward. That is similar to the [[Alcubierre drive]], but with some exceptions as the maintenance of sub-light velocity and inertia. This means that a spaceship does not come to a complete standstill after the warp flight, but that superluminal and subluminal speeds flow directly into one another. It is also possible to ram another object at warp speed that is outside the warp bubble. This necessitates the existence of fictional deflector shields that protect the spacecraft from damage from collisions with interstellar dust particles and asteroids. The ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode "[[By Inferno's Light]]" indicates that flying at warp speed inside a planetary system is not recommended.

The warp core can be designed in various forms. Humans and most of the other fictional races use a moderated reaction of [[antideuterium]] and [[deuterium]] with ''Dilithium''. The Romulans, however, use artificial micro-black holes called ''quantum singularities''.