DEMATERIALISATION

The ship travels through space-time by transferring its molecular structure into the space-time vortex -- dematerialisation -- making a relative journey there, and then by rematerialising at the appropriate point. Dematerialisation is the most power demanding procedure the ship must undertake, much more than for even rematerialisation.

The ship's dematerialisation is not affected by physical enclosure, and as result it is not possible to simply physically entrap the TARDIS. In addition dematerialisation does not rely on the ship's physical orientation, as the ship can take off at any angle.

Before the dematerialisation circuit may operate a number of safety checks are mode, such as whether the door is shut, the lock is free from keys and that if the ship is in outer space that free-float is enabled.

Dematerialisation is effected by the local artron field, temporal disturbances, energy-draining machinery, and intense electro-magnetic interference. In such circumstances it is often necessary to boost the power available for dematerialisation in order for the ship to break free. In certain circumstances the prevailing exterior environment may completely prevent dematerialisation, such as intense gravitational forces generated by singularities such as black and white holes. Direct artron-based attacks may also render dematerialisation in-opererative. If dematerialisation does not seem possible the ship should be rematerialised immediately, aborting the dematerialisation.

The process of dematerialisation is mainly provided by the dematerialisation circuit, although the dimensional stabiliser also plays a secondary role. Connected directly to the class III power ring via a fluid link, the circuit typically consumes 50 MW of power, operating at 125kA. The circuit itself is split into three main blocks, namely:

dimensional transducer

which transcends the limbo barrier between the real universe and the space-time vortex.

matter-transmitter

which, as its name suggests, transmits matter between two points

molecular convertor

which converts ordinary molecular matter into a mathematical number-series which can then be transmitted via the matter-transmitter

The process of dematerialisation works as follows:

1. Various safety checks, such as those mentioned above, as well as internal integrity checks, are performed. Assuming the circuit is functioning correctly and the safety checks have passed, step two commences. Otherwises the ship waits for the safety conditions to fullfill before continuing.

2. The dimensional tranducer and molecular convertor send a transient singal to the ship's relative vortex entry point. The signal manifests itself as a hollow artron sphere, which is shaped and molded by the TVG. The sphere is used to mark out the zone in the vortex into which the TARDIS can materialise. The guidance systems will ensure this is placed in a safe area. Approaching time ships should hopefully navigate around the materialisation sphere, certainly TARDISes will.

3. The dematerialisation circuit works in parallel with the dimensional stabiliser at this stage, which performs an ansitropic scan of the ship's exterior, while the molecular convertor converts atomic data to mathematical wave data. The wave data is then sent by the matter-transmitter via the dimensional tranducer through limbo barriers and into the space-time vortex. The procedure is reversed as the wave-front is re-assembled in the vortex.

4. The protection sphere dissolves, the power drive is switched on, the dematerialisation circuit signals its success to the navigational systems, and finally the circuit powers down. If APC is not being used a slight jolt will be felt at this stage.