From: ajm@seqp4.sequoia.com (A.J.Madison)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.tech
Subject: Re: Containment fields
Summary: Also, There is the TOS ep: "Obsession"
Date: 9 Nov 92 17:03:43 GMT
Organization: Sequoia Systems Inc., Marlboro, Mass.

In article <06NOV92.22283008.0065@VM1.MCGILL.CA>, CXMP@MUSICA.MCGILL.CA (CXMP000) writes:
> In article <BxAsy1.FI5@kingston.ac.uk> cs_e373@ceres (Matthew Simpkin) writes:
> >Last night I saw `We'll Always Have Paris' in which a hole was torn in the
> >fabric of space into another dimension. Data then had to patch the whole by
> >pouring Anti Matter into it.
> >
> >What confused me was didn't the anti-matter pods need a containment field
> >around then like the ones on the Enterprise ? - Data just walked around
> >with one in a clamp-type-thingy.
> >
> Well, you certainly can touch antimatter with any matter, not even a
> clamp.  On the other hand we don't know how much antimatter Data was
> carrying.  It could have been a rather small amount.  After all, piece
> of antimatter the size of your thumb would be enough to set off an
> explosion with the energy of two atomic bombs when it comes in contact
> with an equal quantity of matter.  I imagine that the pod Data was
> carrying did contain the antimatter in a containment field.


I just happened to be perusing my TNG:Tech Manual last night on this subject.
Depending upon the amount of anti-matter, the magnetic bottles can maintain
containment, without additional energy for short spans of time.  There is a
special coating on the interior of these containers whose name implies its
the anti-matter equivalent of teflon.  There was some mention made that
these magnetic bottles are specially designed to slow the decay of the
magnetic containment fields.  Therefore an external power source is
unnecessary for short periods of time.  This is particularly helpful when
the Big-E has a containment breach, and must eject all of the Anti-Matter
Pods immediately.  The Pods will maintain containment for the few seconds
needed for them to clear the hull (& presumably provide for safe-distancing
from the resulting matter/anti-matter detonation).

The TM went into some detail to explain that since A-M is widely used by the
Federation and Starfleet, that moving around small amounts of it is useful,
and necessary on a regular basis.  The smaller magnetic bottles can safely
cart around small amounts of A-M for extended periods of time.  I forget
what small was, but it was extremely small ~1gm??

If I remember it correctly, didn't Kirk request 1 ounce (is Starfleet really
still going to be relying on English Units in the mid 23rd century?) of A-M
in TOS's _Obsession_?  As I recall, there's 28 grams or so to an ounce, and
the impending explosion was predicted to rip an entire hemisphere of
atmosphere off of a planet.  (As another aside, Kirk must have really been
loved by the Federation equivalent of Green Peace -- Not!)  In anycase, Kirk
seemed to be quite content to wait an indefinite amount of time with A-M of
that much explosive power sitting around in a magnetic bottle.
-- 
when everyone is out to get you, being paranoid is just good thinking.
         - Dr. Johnny Fever <in other words, standard disclaimer>
A.J. Madison                                           ajm@sequoia.com
Sequoia Systems Inc.