In Star Trek, what weapon launches a projectile containing matter and antimatter?

In Star Trek, a photon torpedo launches a projectile containing matter and antimatter.

A photon torpedo is a powerful guided weapon used by many Federation and other starships. Its warhead contains matter and antimatter separated until detonation. When the two substances combine, their annihilation releases enormous energy, producing the weapon’s destructive effect.

Photon torpedoes are launched from dedicated torpedo tubes and can be used against starships, space stations, or planetary targets. They are distinct from phasers, which are directed energy weapons fired as beams or pulses. Starships often use both systems together: phasers can weaken defenses, while torpedoes deliver explosive impact.

Despite the name, a photon torpedo is not simply a beam of light. “Photon” is part of the fictional weapon’s name and does not mean that the projectile is made only of photons. Later Star Trek series introduce related weapons, including quantum torpedoes, but those are a separate technology.