Matter/Anti-Matter Reaction Assembly

The Matter/Anti-matter Reaction Assembly or M/ARA is a technological innovation for high-energy power generation used by nations such as The Serene^Union of Kaenei. M/ARA technology surpasses the energy production of fossil fuel, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion.

At the most fundemental level, it is the manipulation of polar opposites. That which mirrors the other utterly but cannot under any circumstances tolerate the presence of its counterpart without mutual annihilation. It is this annihilation that creates the potent energy that renders this inherently dangerous procedure worthwhile and consequently practical.

M/ARA technology components

The M/ARA consists of several integral parts that are subsequently broken down into smaller sections of equally important equipment. They are divided for ease of convenience into three primary components.

Deuterium Reactant Tank (matter)

Deuterium, an isotope of Hydrogen, is stored as a super-cooled slush within reinforced containment tanks situated at the upper termination of the M/ARA. Traditionally they are in the form of a single expansive tank.

Anti-Deuterium Pods (anti-matter)

The most inherently dangerous factor in M/ARA energy generation, Anti-Deuterium, is isolated in small pods at the extreme vertical termination opposite to the Deuterium slush. This ensures a sufficient gap remains for the reaction chamber and injector ports. Mangnetic isolation fields ensure that no Anti-Deuerium comes into contact with anything physically manifested. Such contact would be cataclysmic to operation systems.

Reaction Chamber

Energy generation takes place within a roughly spherical reaction chamber, from which two parallel segments rise and interface with the Deuterium tank and Anti-Deuterium pods, allowing the two elements into the reaction chamber. Beneath the exit port for each reactant is a ring which controls the speed of the reactant stream, critical to safety. If a variance in the stream speed occurs creating a volatile reaction, the chance of disaster rises exponentially, unless automated systems compensate for the upset. The reaction chamber is coated in crystals of Dilithium, a substance able to resist the reaction's energies. This energy is passed out through opposing transfer conduits as energised plasma, which is then devolved into required electrical concerns through suitable step-down equipment.

Safety concerns

The unfortunate fragility of the M/ARA system is aptly demonstrated in the lack of effective repair procedures for a damaged operating unit. A very small window of tolerence exists before any damage inflicted upon the reaction chamber, reactant tanks or injector assemblies results in failure. Considerable safeguards are set in place to prevent a system0 failure, in the form of reinforced shielding and additional containment measures. In the event of imminent catastrophic failure, there exist two options.

An incomplete jettison consists of immediately cutting all power to the M/ARA in an effort to force automatic sub-systems to engage safety interlocks and seal the injector ports. This prevents further reactants from entering into the reaction. Once residual fuel has been expunged, the system can be declared locked down and secure. If structual issues become relevent, the reactant tanks themselves can be ejected for later retrieval.

In the event of magnetic containment field degredation, which cannot be prevented, there is only one practical option, a Total M/ARA ejection. When instructed and authorised, the primary computer system will override all automatic sub-systems and grant manual supremacy for the purposes of sealing the injectors without automated assistance. At the same time, emergency bulkheads will isolate the reaction chamber from the parallel power distribution conduits and the conduits from the electrical network. Low-powered explosives will detonate, seperating the conduits and ensuring they cannot harm the final stages of the procedure. Following this, the relevent emergency core release hatches will open, and similiar explosive bolts will force the entire Assembly [Reaction chamber, reactant tanks and magnetic constriction elements] into open space. Utilising secondary power sources the afflicted vessel will depart from zone of detonation damage.