Dilithium Dilithium , also known as radan , was an element , a member of the hypersonic series , mostly occurring as crystal line mineral . It was used to control the power of the warp drive systems of many starship s by regulating the matter / antimatter reaction in a ship ' s warp core because of its ability to be rendered porous to light - element antimatter when exposed to high temperatures and electromagnetic pressures . It controlled the amount of power generated in the reaction chamber , channeling the energy released by mutual annihilation into a stream of electro - plasma . Under certain rare circumstances , dilithium deposits can form in such a way that the crystals grow into perfectly aligned lattices . If enough dilithium is present , it begins to form " generator strata " . A piezoelectric effect occurs when the crystals take the radiant heat of the planet and convert it into mechanical energy . This mechanical energy can increase tectonic stresses in a planet ' s crust to the point where the planet literally tears itself apart . This phenomenon was responsible for the destruction of a number of planets in the Selcundi Drema sector . One method of detecting the potential presence of dilithium deposits during a geological survey is by studying UV absorption patterns . Certain characteristic patterns tend to indicate the presence of traker deposit s , which are commonly formed along with the dilithium ore . An ico - spectrogram could then be run to confirm the ore ' s presence . ( ) History . Dilithium could be found on only a few planets in the galaxy , and was therefore a rare and valuable substance . On Troyius , where dilithium was known as radan , it had a variety of different uses , including jewelry . ( ) In 2267 , the Federation attempted to open negotiations with the Halkan s to allow the Federation to mine dilithium from their planet , but they refused out of fear that the Federation would one day use their materials for acts of violence . " That same year , in the mirror universe , the Halkans refused an explicit demand from the crew of the for their dilithium crystals . Standard procedure dictated a phaser barrage on their cities , but Captain James T . Kirk , accidentally sent to the mirror universe , would not allow this . " ( ) After being sent back in time to 1947 , Quark asked US General Rex Denning if dilithium was used as a currency . ( ) While the early Earth starships of the NX class utilized dilithium matrices in their warp cores , ( ) starships used crystallized lithium until the mid - 2260s , before switching to dilithium . Housed in a dilithium crystal converter assembly , the crystals were used as a power source as well as a regulator . Dependency on that power meant the starships risked losing the ability to maintain an orbit , let alone use of their warp drive , when a number of dilithium crystals were drained of their power or became fused in their assembly . In some circumstances , crystals could be re - amplified to provide continued service , rather than replaced . ( ) One of the reasons why dilithium was so valuable before the late 23rd century was because dilithium gradually decrystalizes during use , and there existed no practical means of inducing recrystallization . However , during a time travel mission to 1986 , Spock and Scotty developed a method of recrystallizing dilithium through exposure to gamma radiation . ( ) Decrystalizing dilithium resulted in certain byproducts , including illium - 629 and , when used in warp cores , trilithium resin . ( ) By the 2360s , it was possible to recrystallize dilithium while it was still enclosed in the warp core ' s dilithium articulation frame using a theta - matrix compositor . ( ; ; ) 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 . ( ) In 2372 , the discovered a new form of dilithium in the Delta Quadrant that remained stable at much higher reaction rates , allowing a vessel to travel more efficiently at much higher speeds . This dilithium was installed aboard the shuttlecraft " " to test an experimental warp 10 flight . ( ) 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 . ( ) Odo and several members of the Cardassian Rebellion destroyed the Tevak shipyards by sabotaging the dilithium in its storage bunkers . ( ) Lyndsay Ballard said that dilithium extraction was always one of B ' Elanna Torres ' specialties . ( ) Torres helped Neelix prepare for a mining operation by giving him material to study on dilithium geophysics . ( ) On Kelis ' homeworld in the Delta Quadrant natural dilithium crystals found were called " winter ' s tear " . ( ) A form of Dilithium , called Trilithium , could be used to eradicate entire star systems . Appendices . Apocrypha . Several prop dilithium clusters were sold off on the It ' s A Wrap ! sale and auction on eBay . " Star Trek Online " introduced dilithium as a currency in its fifth season , " Call to Arms " .