Polariser:

               Solid powered material used for photon interaction. Grey when deactivated. Behaves like Filter when active.

Description:

                "Powered filter" is the nearest thing I can think of that explains the use of Polariser. Polariser should be used like a quantum device, lest we introduce a misnomer; however quantum effects do not currently integrate well with TPT. Instead, this suggestion targets the photon colour property. Currently, filter, when set to the correct temperature and mode (tmp), can be used to alter the state of single photons. It offers no functionality for combining the state of two photons, which is the aim of this suggestion. More generally, I believe that photons would be better Turing Complete.

Function:

                Polariser should not be easy to use; otherwise, they would not be fun. Neither should it be extremely difficult to use; you shouldn’t need 18 years of TPT to understand them. Also, Polariser should integrate well in TPT. The current N/P type silicon can be used to interact and control Polariser. It is N type silicon that this suggestion makes use of:

                N type silicon will act as the reset. When sparked by NSCN, like Switch, Polariser will change colour and take on the “standby” state. The next photon to pass over it will determine its colour (* See below). If the colour is stored as the temperature, as in Filter, I suggest that Polariser should not conduct heat. After this, Polariser will behave like Filter, until it is reset to standby. This means that the mode, as determined by the tmp property, will alter photons passing over the Polariser. Currently, filter modes are (in order, tmp from 0 to 9) SET, AND, OR, SUBTRACT, RED SHIFT, BLUE SHIFT, NOTHING, XOR, NOT, SCATTER. These functions seem suitable and relevant. For “quantum reversibility”, the control photon (the one that set the colour) passes unaltered.

                There are a few arguments to indicate why Polariser is useful (more or less; leaning toward the less!) for computation. First, existent elements can control the path of photons: piston, breakable metal, glass, titanium (** See Below) and powered clone. Clone is used as a photon source, and, for the “quantum decoherence” vibe, measurement must be performed with Polariser and silicon detectors. I simply can’t imagine another, easier way to atomically measure the photon state and produce a digital (“classical” or spark) result. Photon memory would take the form of SET (tmp 0) type non-heat-conducting-Polariser arranged in an array, where each pixel may be used to prime a white photon (sent through from a laser) for further interaction in a “Quantum circuit”. Such a circuit would consist of Polariser and detectors to produce a “useable” output.

* After the Polariser state is set, either the Polariser becomes operational instantly or requires PSCN to activate. But which?

** As a side suggestion, Titanium should only reflect in the vertical/horizontal directions for ease of mirror creation. Currently, metal mirrors seem a tad touchy and glow-y for my liking.

Reasons for reviewing the photon:

               Photons are not fun: they are a functionality sink. Photons are the result, and only the result, of a simulation. The only interactions of a photon produce are uncontrollable. For example, setting stuff on fire, heating stuff, producing rainbows. Counterexamples are welcome.

               Computationally, photons are nothing special. They offer a slow (ironic) medium for data transmission. Even in this case, the data is digital and makes no use of the filter/colour relationship of photons. These analog properties could be the most interesting.

               Photons are novel, but not fun. They offer no new way to think about TPT. Polariser is an attempt to help the TPT tinkerer see the light! You may have heard the "Photons are not fun" complaint before.

For the expert nay-sayers/complainers:

                I know what a polariser is. “(More or less; leaning toward the less!)” I understand that polarisation, ideally, has nothing to do with wavelength. Also, this system is not really quantum – state cloning is trivial here. The suggestion is supposed to be an interesting mix between theme and practicality of implementation and of course, TPT is used to sacrificing physical reality for fun factor. I believe that colour is the easiest target for making photons more useful and fun.

For non-expert nay-sayers/complainers:

                I understand the complexity/difficulty in using the element. I would not be able to “whip up” a working computer from this idea, but some smarty out there might be able. Perhaps a simplification is in order?

               Obviously, suggestions and questions are welcome. Is it too much? Is it too little? Does the idea deserve screwing up and throwing out? Are there some alternative fields (other than computing) that the suggestion could enhance?

I remember LightPC, but I didn't think it literally used photons for math operations. Anyway, Point number 2 renders Polariser redundant. I didn't know about DTEC. One more question: how do you render FILT heat-proof? Do you set the tmp to non-zero?

Ease (super-ease) of use tends to over simplify something into uselessness. By "quantum device" I mean some machine that makes use of quantum state, such as polarisation. Quantum stuff is magical, and TPT doesn't have any properties that are suitable to "mount" quantum elements on. "Quantum" is a just theme.

Mecha-mans post demonstrates the redundancy of the suggestion. One pixel of Polariser can be made with a pixel of filter and a pixel of DTEC. I have been experimenting, and the only difference between Polariser and DTEC/FILT is that "reading" the FILT tends to overwrite and corrupt the state. This is due to the DTEC's proximity to the photon used for reading. I will edit out my moaning...

Very useful. Even using 16 bits of the spectrum is a very compact way to store data.