Quantum reality Quantum reality , or quantum universe , was the term used to describe the alternate timeline s in which all possible outcomes for any event take place . Each quantum reality was its own separate parallel universe characterized by a unique quantum signature which could not be altered . All matter resonated on a quantum level with this signature within the universe s . Before 2370 , the existence of different quantum realities was considered only a theory in quantum physics . Under normal circumstances , quantum universes remain separated from one another by barriers . ( ) History . In 2370 , Lieutenant Worf piloted the Type 6 shuttlecraft " " through a quantum fissure , which acted as a " keyhole " which intersected multiple quantum realities . The warp nacelle s of the shuttle caused a small break in the barriers between realities and threw Worf into a state of quantum flux . The flux was intensified when Worf was near the subspace field pulse of Lieutenant Commander La Forge ' s VISOR . This had the effect of pushing Worf into new realities . Eventually Lieutenant Commander Data was able to determine that , by piloting the same shuttle with which he had traversed the fissure in the first place and initiating a broad - spectrum warp field , Worf could seal the fissure and return to his own universe . This had the effect of transporting Worf back in time to a point before he encountered the fissure . However , as Data explained , due to the uncertainty principle , it was just as possible Worf would have ended up several days forward in time . ( ) Quantum realities . Several different quantum realities were witnessed by Worf in 2370 . Appendices . Background information . According to , quantum realities featured in the episode were based on the real - world theory " " by . In this theory , " " a particle would not have a single history or path in space - time , but would instead follow every possible path . " " ( " Star Trek Encyclopedia " ( 4th ed . , vol . 2 , p . 195 ) According to comments by Michael and Denise Okuda , the anti - time future seen in should be considered as an alternative quantum reality . According to the " " , as of the 2370s Starfleet had records of 285 , 000 different quantum realities . The writers of , Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci , were asked about the implications of the new alternate reality that was introduced in the film in an interview . They explained the new reality runs parallel to the prime reality as a new quantum reality , as the concept was explained by Data in the episode . This is also referenced in the script of " Star Trek " , before being teased by his classmates , young is asked by the computer in the learning center on : " " What is the central assumption of quantum cosmology ? " " To which Spock replies : " " Everything that can happen does happen in equal and parallel universes . " " In the final cut of the film , this is barely audible . While not specifically confirmed , suggests that parallel universes on different dimensional planes are synonymous to quantum realities . In the episode a solar quantum level cascade causes a quantum fluctuation in the molecular structure of the planet and its inhabitants . The fluctuation shifts them to a different dimensional plane . Apocrypha . According to the novel " Fearful Symmetry " by Olivia Woods , the mirror universe is also a parallel quantum universe , as quantum signature scans used to match Worf with his in , were also able to differentiate natives of the mirror universe from those of the prime reality . The mirror universe has canonically been described as a parallel universe on a different dimensional plane . Several other quantum realities are introduced in the " " series of novels and comics . According to the story " Places of Exile " by Christopher L . Bennett in the 2008 novel of the series , " Infinity ' s Prism " , quantum realities are in fact synonymous with all types of alternate timeline s .