Matter stream
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
In the transporter system the matter stream was used for the transmission of matter. In the Borg transwarp conduits the matter stream is the region of normal space within the conduit.
[edit] Transporter matter stream
The matter stream consisted of the stream of sub-atomic particles that resulted from the dematerialization of a transport subject. The stream was relocated from the original site of the transportee, passed through the pattern buffer and rematerialized into its original form again on the transporter platform,or other destination.
Normal spatial relationships within the stream were distorted, making things look bigger as they really were, especially when there were ionic fluctuations. A person could even see his own microbes in the matter stream. Although it was possible to move within the matter stream, it was advisable to remain still.
If a person was in the matter stream too long, his or her pattern would degrade to the point rematerialization was no longer possible. Therefore, the signal resolution needed to be kept above fifty percent.
The matter stream was contained in the pattern buffer before rematerialization occurred. (TNG: "Realm of Fear")
When the object to be transported was surrounded with victurium alloy, like when a person was lying under a collapsed bulkhead, resolving the matter stream was not possible and the person needed to be moved to another location or the victurium needed to be removed. (TNG: "Hero Worship")
[edit] Transwarp conduit matter stream
The area of normal space within a Borg transwarp conduit, known as the matter stream, had the effect of accelerating anything entering it to move forward.
In 2375, after the Delta Flyer had exited a conduit, the USS Voyager fired a spread of photon torpedoes into the threshold perimeter in hopes of destabilizing the matter stream within and imploding the conduit with a pursuing Borg ship still inside. The conduit did not implode and collapse, but the Borg ship was blown to pieces due to the destabilization of the stream. (TNG: "Descent"; VOY: "Dark Frontier")
