A verteron probe was a device that emitted a massive verteron pulse. It could be used to disable warp-powered vessels.
These probes were used by Hekaran scientists Serova and Rabal in 2370 to mine the Hekaras Corridor, in an attempt to gain the attention of the Federation, and present their case that repeated exposure of the region to warp field energy was causing severe ecological damage to their homeworld. (TNG: "Force of Nature")