4.10 Warp Field Coils

The energy field necessary to propel starships is created by the warp field coils and assisted by the specific configuration of the starship hull. The coils generate an intense, multilayer field that surrounds the ship and it is the manipulation of the shape of this field that produces the propulsive effect through and beyond the speed of light.

The coils themselves are split toroids positioned within the nacelles. Each half-segment's size is dependent on the ship class. They are constructed from a core of densified tungsten-cobalt-magnesium for structural stiffening, and imbedded within a casting of electrically densified verterium cortenide. The casting process can prove to be difficult for new or unusual designs at times.

When energized, the VC within a coil pair causes a shift in the energy frequencies carried by the plasma deep into the subspace domain. The quantum packets of subspace field energy form at approx. 1\3 the distance from the inner surface of the coil to the outer surface, as the VC causes changes in the geometry of space at the Planck scale. The converted field energy exits the outer surface of the coil and radiates away from the nacelle. A certain amount of field energy recombination occurs at the coil centerline, appearing in the normal space-time continuum as a burst of visible light.

The Camelot's nacelles use a double-coil system that enables greater endurance at high speeds, as well as allowing for multiple coil burnouts before speed is seriously affected. The system is designed primarily for explorer ships.