Metaphasic shield

A metaphasic shield is a modified defensive shield that allows a starship to operate in close proximity to a star for an extended period of time.

Attributes

What actually occurs is unclear, but the name suggests that a metaphasic shield differs from the standard frequency pattern of Star Trek shields. Normally, the shield oscillates at a specific rate, creating peaks and troughs in the protection afforded by the shield.

The hypothesis for metaphasic shields is that there are multiple waves in the shield, with their peaks and troughs offset, leaving no low points in the defense. Such a system would function similar to how 3-Phase AC power functions. In the case of 3-Phase power, three AC signals are run down the same power grid, each one 120° out of phase with the others. How many signals would make up a metaphasic shield system is not known.

The downside of a metaphasic shield is that weapons like phasers could not be synchronized to "fire through the gaps", so a ship using metaphasic shields could not fire weapons. However, given the multiple signals and sufficient computer control software, one of the multiple signals could be left on at the moment of firing and then the rest switched back on allowing a ship to fire weapons and maintain the advantages of the system. Since an enemy couldn't ever know when these moments of vulnerability would exist it would be almost impossible for an enemy to exploit those moments of opportunity.