The forward tractor beam emitter is activated. The screenshots show the beam as it starts and in progress. This is used in early 2371, in [#3 Parallax], when Voyager remodulates a tractor beam to match the subspace interference caused by a type 4 quantum singularity in order to try and cut through the event horizon to rescue a trapped ship (which later turns out to be a time-delayed reflection of USS Voyager) - basically a subspace tractor beam.

USS Voyager's forward tractor beam emitter and tractor beam. (pop-up window) [#3 Parallax]

stern      bow extract from Voyager's master situation display, showing the rear part of the engineering hull

The tractor beam emitter is a focussed graviton polarity device used for the remote manipulation of small objects, e.g. shuttlecraft, in close proximity to the starship. Externally, the primary tractor beam emitter is located at the rear of deck 14 on the trailing edge of the engineering hull, underneath the shuttle approach ledge. There is another at the front of the engineering hull. There are internal fittings in those locations relating to the tractor beam emitter, but the tractor beam emitters employ forces generated within the auxiliary navigational deflector array which is situated not close by but at the centre of the primary hull's leading edge.

The gravity polarity generators of the auxiliary deflector array are not just a major component of the deflector shield systems but they also feed the tractor beam emitters. Tractor beam emitters employ superimposed subspace/graviton force beams whose interference patterns are focused on a remote target, resulting in significant spatial stress being applied on the target (say, a shuttlecraft). By controlling the focal point and interference patterns, it is possible to use this stress pattern to draw an object toward the ship. Conversely, it is also possible to invert the interference patterns and move the focal point to repel an object away from the ship.

Emitters are directly mounted upon primary structural members of the ship's framework. This is because of the significant mechanical stress and inertial potential imbalance created by tractor beam usage. Additional structural reinforcement and inertial potential cancellation is provided by tying the tractor beam emitter into the structural integrity field (SIF) network. Effective tractor beam range varies with payload mass, distance of the target and desired change in relative velocity.

In 2377, in [#151 Critical Care], Chakotay's suggestion "We could drop out of warp at close range and grab him (Gar) before he knows what's happening." is followed and Voyager successfully seizes Gar's ship in a tractor beam. This strategy/technique is known as "touch-and-go downwarping" (the term is not mentioned in [Star Trek: Voyager]) and was first seen in [TNG: Schizoid Man].

screenshots from [Critical Care]

Next page: INERTIAL DAMPENING FIELD.