Phasers are the standard defensive weapon of the Federation. Phaser is an acronym for PHASed Energy Rectification, a term which referred to the original process by which stored or supplied energy was converted to another form for release toward the target without any need for an intermediate energy transformation.
Phasers use a rapid nadion effect. Short-lived subatomic particles (rapid nadion particles) are generated when energy stored in a power cell is released into a special class of crystals.
On impact these particles negate the Strong Nuclear Force that binds the protons and neutrons of atomic matter together. This process results in the spontaneous destruction of the nucleus in what is known as "explosive decoupling." This reaction alone liberates a great amount of thermal energy, as the natural repulsion between subatomic particles within the nucleus causes the matter to instantaneously disassociate into free-floating protons, neutrons, and electrons.
Because of this exothermic nuclear effect, phaser weapons are capable of causing much more damage than would be possible with a comparatively powered direct energy-transfer weapon, such as traditional lasers. At extreme variances, the rapid nadion particles begin to alter the phasic state of the matter they interact with, "dragging" it out of sync with the rest of the universe, in an event commonly called "vaporization."
Safety considerations
As a result of the basic physics required to produce a phaser discharge, an undesirable but unavoidable process exists, namely that of phaser overload. The accepted methods employed for energy storage, flow, control, and discharge allow for an amplified rebounding to occur from the storage cell to the prefire chamber, and simultaneously back to the storage cell. While the total energy within the system remains the same, the flow pressure is elevated during the rebound, to the point where the storage cell cannot absorb the energy fast enough. The barrier field will be reinforced during this buildup, effectively preventing normal discharge through the emitter. Explosive destruction of the phaser will occur when the energy level exceeds the prefire chamber's density and structural limits.
The safety interlock will prevent overload under most operating conditions, though the design specifications could not cope with some form of tampering. However, the overload of a phaser can also be used as an advantage.
Training and operation
All Starfleet and attached personnel receive initial basic instruction on the operation and use of a low-power variant of the Type I phaser (limited to Setting 3). All Starfleet officers receive advanced training and are issued full-power Type I phasers as personal defensive arms. During Alert conditions aboard ships and during Away Missions, the Security Department will oversee the distribution of Type II units. Additional training is required for the use of Type III phaser rifles.
Continued proficiency training in defensive techniques is maintained at four-month intervals for shipboard personnel, and at one-month intervals for Away Team candidates. A Security Department officer's continuing phaser training progresses at varied rates, depending on individual specialties.
