Baryon Sweep
From Starbase 900 Wiki
High-frequency plasma field used to remove baryon particles from a starship's superstructure. During extended periods of warp flight, baryon particles build up on the starship, requiring periodical decontamination. The procedure is deadly to a starship's crew, requiring complete evacuation of a starship before the procedure is executed . Baryon particles are a particle family. The baryon-family consists of protons and neutrons, the basic elements of an atom's nuclei, and hyperons, which are highly unstable particles. It is logical that the baryon sweep is deadly to humans, because it removes all baryon particles it encounters - so all the protons and neutrons in the atoms of humans! A baryon sweep would completely dematerialize a starship, leaving only a cloud of electrons behind.