Polaric ion energy was a highly volatile form of energy based on polaric ion particles. Polaric ion energy could be used either in power generation or weapons with unmatched potential, but polaric ion devices were dangerously unstable and prone to causing chain reactions which could vaporize all life on a planet. Attempts to harness polaric ion energy in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants led to the destruction of a Romulan research outpost on Chaltok IV, which prompted the creation of the Polaric Test Ban Treaty of 2268, prohibiting further research with polaric ions.
Polaric radiation could be released by polaric ion explosions and cause subspace and temporal distortions. In extreme cases subspace fractures could be formed, leading into the past. (VOY: "Time and Again")
Fanon Continuities[]
Star Trek Online: Valkyries[]
Polaron energy used by the Dominion was fundamentally similar to polaric ion energy, but much safer and easier to harness and, consequently, less powerful.
Even at low levels, polaric radiation could interfere with the regular operation of tricorders, communicators, and transporters. If polaric ions suffused an object they could put it in a state of temporal flux akin to stasis and also allowing it to safely defuse energy from polaron-based weapons. ("Survivors of Yamatai")