Zero Point Module
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A Zero Point Module, abbreviated ZPM, is a power source device in the fictional Stargate universe.
Definition
A ZPM is capable of generating immense amounts of energy by utilizing zero point energy which derives from a phenomenon known as the quantum foam (subatomic wormholes opening and closing constantly in and out of subspace). A ZPM contains an artificially created region of subspace from which this power is drawn. Since this process is thermodynamically irreversible, every ZPM (if used) will eventually reach maximum entropy, at which point it is depleted and can no longer provide power.ZPM technology was created by the Ancients, and like many types of Ancient technology, it appears to be crystal-based. The devices are extremely rare - as of yet, only a dozen ZPMs have been discovered by SG or Atlantis teams (see below) - despite Ancient artifacts (including the Stargates) having been scattered over two galaxies. Their purpose was apparently unknown until recently, even to the Goa'uld, who have been scavenging Ancient technology for millenia. No explanation for the apparent rarity of ZPMs has yet been given, although it is known that near the end of their war with the Wraith, the Ancients attempted to replace them with the more powerful Project Arcturus. Whether Arcturus was initiated in response to a perceived deficiency of ZPM technology (which might explain their rarity) is a matter of speculation.
The Ancient city of Atlantis was designed to be powered by three ZPMs simultaneously, although most functionality, such as the shield can function with only one. Presumably her unnamed sister city "The Tower" also required three. A ZPM is also required to establish a wormhole to another galaxy, although it has been shown that an 8 symbol address can be dialed by other means too, e.g. the device built by O'Neill under influence of ancient knowledge. This device was clearly not a Zero Point Module, since it used the liquid Naqahdah fuel cell from Teal'c staff weapon, whereas ZPM's extract vacuum energy from subspace. A normal ZPM retains its power for a long time, whereas O'Neil's device was only enough to maintain an outgoing wormhole to Othala, the homeworld of the Asgard, for a few minutes.
ZPMs have been found necessary to power the Ancient Drone Weapon platforms in Antartica and at Proclarush Taonas, though Earth's never Mk II Naqahdah generators where able to power the chair against the Wraith and have been somewhat sucessful with the chair in the Antartica . The ZPM has also been found powering specialised EM field generators and time dilating fields .
History
SG-1 first discovered the technology when Col. Jack O'Neill, having downloaded the Ancient database on his mind for a secont time, led the team to the planet Proclarush Taonas and retrieved a ZPM from an abandoned Ancient base. SG-1 brought the device back to Earth and found the Ancient outpost in Antarctica, where the device powered the Ancient Drone Weapons that destroyed Anubis's attacking fleet. The module was later used to power the Stargate for the Atlantis expedition's long-distance journey to the Pegasus Galaxy.SG-1 later went back in time to the ancient Egypt and stole a ZPM from Ra . This ZPM was used to send reinforcements to Atlantis and, just afterwards, was sent to Atlantis on board the Daedalus to power the city's shield .
Most of the Atlantis characters, being American, pronounce ZPM as Zee-P-M (the American way). The team's Canadian scientist, Rodney McKay, on the other hand, pronounces the acronym in the British (and Commonwealth) fashion, Zed-P-M. Curiously, most of the aliens encountered pronounce it Zee-P-M.
Known ZPMs
| Found | Quantity | Status | Current Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proclarush Taonas | 1 | Depleted. | Ba'al's planet. | Later given to Ba'al instead of a real one . |
| Earth (Antarctica) | 1 | Depleted | Unknown (presumably on Earth) | The ZPM that originally powered the Ancient outpost in Antarctica. O'Neill replaced it with the one he took from Proclarush Taonas. |
| Earth (Ancient Egypt) | 1 | Full | Atlantis | Sent to Atlantis. |
| ? | 1 | 50% capacity remaining | Earth | Tampered with by Camulus. Retrieved by O'Neill. |
| Atlantis | 3 | Depleted | Atlantis | |
| M7G-677 | 1 | Almost depleted | M7G-677 | Powering the planet's EM shield. |
| Dagan | 1 | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Sanctuary | ? | Unknown | Sanctuary | Powering the time dilation field . |
| The Tower | ? | Depleted | The Tower |
References
| Technology in the Stargate universe | [http://encycl.opentopia.com/ Edit] | |
| Tau'ri technology | GDO | IDC | Stargate Iris | Kull Disruptor | P90 | MALP | Naqahdah Generator F-302 | Prometheus (BC-303) | Daedalus (BC-304)-class Battlecruiser |
|
| Goa'uld / Tok'ra technology | Al'kesh | Death Glider | Ha'tak Mothership | Hand Device | Healing Device | Intar | Sarcophagus | Staff Weapon | Tel'tak | TER | Tunnel Crystals | Zat | Zatarc detector | |
| Ancient technology | ATA Gene | Atlantis | Aurora-class Battleship | Dakara Weapon | DHD | DNA Resequencer Drone Weapon | Healing Device | Project Arcturus | Puddle Jumper | Repository of Knowledge Ring Transporter | Stargate | Time Dilation Device | Zero Point Module | |
| Other races' technology | Beliskner-class ship | Daniel Jackson-class ship | O'Neill-class ship | Thor's Hammer | Ion Cannon | Wraith Dart | Wraith Hive-Ship | Supergate | Ori Battlecruiser | |
| Technology by Race | All | Tau'ri | Ancient | Goa'uld | Tok'ra | Asgard | Tollan | Wraith | Ori | Other | |
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