Interphase

• Spatial phenomenon relating to matter integrity, solidity, presence in continuum (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly"; TOS: "The Tholian Web"; TNG: "The Next Phase", "The Pegasus"; VOY: "Distant Origin"; SCE Short Story: "Interphase")
  • Also known as "interspace" (TLE Novel: The Sundered)
• Involves alteration of phase of matter causing it to become undetectable to unaffected matter in continuum (TNG: "The Next Phase"; VOY: "Distant Origin")
  • By terminology, potentially involves modification of quantum signature of matter, causing it to shift partially or fully outside the continuum
• Partial interphase only results in matter being partially placed out of phase with the continuum, rendering effected matter undetectable by and immaterial to the universe at large (TNG: "The Next Phase", "The Pegasus")
  • Permanent, but reversible, alteration of matter via exposure to certain strong frequencies of chroniton radiation (TNG: "The Next Phase")
    • Chroniton radiation signatures left behind by such matter the only known measurable effects of matter in this continuum effected in such a way (TNG: "The Next Phase")
    • Previously pursued by Federation, Klingon Empire, and Romulan Star Empire mid-to-late 24th century as more effective alternative to traditional cloaking devices (TNG: "The Next Phase", "The Pegasus")
    • Effect can be reversed by, among other things, anyon radiation purging the chroniton radiation maintaining the interphase effect (TNG: "The Next Phase")
  • Fields creating such partial interphase effects known, as with many subspace phenomena, to to disrupted by exposure to chroniton radiation (TNG: "The Next Phase")
• Full interphase results in matter being fully placed out of phase with the continuum, pushing it into a deep subspace domain or branch universe (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly"; TLE Novel: The Sundered)
  • Known to be caused by interphasic rifts (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly"; TOS: "The Tholian Web"; SCE Short Story: "Interphase")
    • Interphasic rifts that connect to deep subspace domains can allow for transport over massive distances at the equivalent of hyperwarp velocities (TLE Novel: The Sundered; TTN Novel: The Red King)
      • Such rifts known specifically as "interspatial fissures" (TLE Novel: The Sundered; TTN Novel: The Red King)
    • Rifts form as a result of gravimetric subspace damage to areas already known to be turbulent in subspace
      • Known examples:
        • Detonation of tricobalt explosives in the gravity well of a neutron star (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly")
        • Eruption of a thalaron generator (TTN Novel: Taking Wing)
    • Vessels passing through these rifts undergo full interphase (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly"; TOS: "The Tholian Web"; SCE Short Story: "Interphase")
    • Proximity to interphasic rifts known to cause interphase psychosis, whereby distortions in the central nervous system lead to violent, potentially homicidal psychosis (TOS: "The Tholian Web"; TLE Novel: The Sundered; SCE Short Story: "Interphase")
      • Non-humanoid brain structures seem less- or unaffected by interphase psychosis (SCE Short Story: "Interphase Book 2")
      • Interphase psychosis treatable, but not curable, by theragen-derivative agent (TOS: "The Tholian Web"; SCE Short Story: "Interphase")
      • Restoration to original continuum reverts effects of interphase psychosis in a victim (TOS: "The Tholian Web"; SCE Short Story: "Interphase")
    • Interphasic rifts disruptive to stellar fusion (TLE Novel: The Sundered)
• Interphasic phenomena can even reach outside the multiverse entirely, connecting to de Sitter space and overlapping with entirely disjoint universes (TOS: "The Tholian Web"; DS9: "Playing God"; TTN Novel: The Red King)
  • Inclusion of "Tholian Web" in this category is presumptive, but the empty universe described by Kirk that he was trapped within, coupled with Spock's description of the phenomenon, makes it seem more likely to be a disjoint universe than a branch of the primary universe