Dilithium (Star Trek)
Dilithium is a substance that features in Star Trek.
Contents |
History
Dilithium
The USS Enterprise experienced a mysterious phenomenon that drained almost all of its dilithium crystals. This event left the ship without warp power and in a precarious position, as dilithium was a crucial and rare component necessary to regulate matter/antimatter reactions for interstellar travel at the time. Captain Kirk and his crew found themselves investigating a nearby planet where the disturbance originated. They discovered a mysterious, unstable man named Lazarus, who was in fact two versions of the same person from parallel universes, endlessly battling each other. The crossing over of the two Lazaruses was causing the universe-spanning power drain. Captain Kirk's efforts were to understand this complex situation and find a way to stop the dimensional breaches before the Enterprise was left permanently stranded and the universe was potentially destroyed. (TOS: The Alternative Factor)
Dozaria was rich in dilithium, which attracted the Breen to the planet. In 2366, they forced the Ravinok to crash on the planet and put the survivors to work in the dilithium mine. (DS9: Indiscretion) Dukat and Damar were able to trick Captain K'Temang into believing the Groumall was carrying refined dilithium crystals by modifying the Cardassian freighter's subspace transceiver array to emit a false dilithium signal. (DS9: Return to Grace) Odo and several members of the Cardassian Rebellion destroyed the Tevak shipyards by sabotaging the dilithium in its storage bunkers. (DS9: Tacking Into the Wind)
Overview
In appearance, Dilithium crystals were translucent, crystalline shards that possessed a rugged and jagged geometry. They were primarily clear or slightly frosted in texture, resembling large pieces of quartz or oversized salt crystals rather than polished gemstones. When housed in engineering systems, they were seated in specialized metallic trays or racks, appearing as essential mechanical components that glinted under the harsh laboratory lighting of the ship. When Lazarus stole them and carried them in a simple cloth pouch, they looked like heavy, glowing prizes of raw ore, vibrating slightly with a sense of latent energy. Their physical form was substantial enough to be gripped firmly in a hand, yet they appeared fragile enough to be the focal point of the ship’s entire power infrastructure. (TOS: The Alternative Factor)
One method of detecting the potential presence of dilithium deposits during a geological survey was by studying UV absorption patterns. Certain characteristic patterns tended to indicate the presence of traker deposits, which were commonly formed along with the dilithium ore. An ico-spectrogram could then be run to confirm the ore's presence. (TNG: Pen Pals)
A number of races required Dilithium crystals in order to restore the functionality of their Warp Drive. (TOS: Elaan of Troyius)
In Starfleet starships, dilithium was used to regulate the matter/antimatter reaction. Injectors would feed matter and antimatter into the dilithium chamber, where the two substances would mix and react, with the dilithium crystals used to control the reaction. (ENT: Bound)
Notes
- Dilithium was created by Don Ingalls where it featured in the setting of the Star Trek universe.
In other media
Video games
- In Star Trek: Armada, Dilithium appeared as a resource that was mined by the players in the setting of the real-time strategy video game.
- In Star Trek: Armada II, Dilithium appeared once again as a resource that was mined by the players in the setting of the real0time strategy video game sequel.
- In Star Trek Online, Dilithium appeared in the setting of the MMORPG video game.
Appearances
- Star Trek: The Original Series:
- Star Trek: The Next Generation:
- Star Trek: Deep Space 9:
- Star Trek: Voyager:
- Star Trek: Discovery:
- Star Trek: Strange New World:
External Links
This article is a stub. You can help Multiversal Omnipedia by expanding it.
