Space-Time on His hands

[rosetto 0]

==/\== C A D E T L O G ==/\==

 

Under the reading lamp in his dorm room, rosetto studies his text books thinking that after last night’s Academy, he will need to understand a lot more about the inner workings of the Space-Time Continuum:

 

..Transition occur in an explosive event accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful phenomena known as the Chromatic Detonation; an optical analog of a sonic boom. In the next micro-instant, the objcet is on "the other side", traveling through the warp continuum at 1.31 x C. An object is never observed at speeds 0.763 < V < 1.31 under normal conditions. It should be noted however, that the boundary layer of the warp field effect creates an envelope of 4 dimensional Einsteinian space-time within which an object travels and their physical laws still apply within the envelope. From the outside, it appears as though a space-time anomaly were manifested sequentially along a linear path. Fleeting, multiple images of the object in the center of the anomaly are created at widely spaced intervals which grow more distant at higher warp factors. Light coming from within the envelope gathers at the boundary layer until it reaches optical crossover threshold, at which point it "pulses" through, thus re-entering normal space-time to project the image of the object.”

 

He had always enjoyed History in school and thought that this course on the Origins of the Cochrane Coil Theory was absolutely fascinating. He continues to read:

 

While current attempts to build ever larger particle accelerators lead to the unification of the strong nuclear force with the electro-weak force but this approach was not be successful with gravity. The reason is that while accelerators of sufficient power approximate the fantastic extremes of temperature and pressure found during the era immediately following the Big Bang, it was not these aspects of the early universe but rather the extreme curvature of space-time then in force which wedded gravity to the other forces. As space-time expanded, or flattened, gravity was the first force to de-couple from the others. Newton's mechanics were based upon the Euclidean model of geometry, and Einstein's was grounded in 19th century alternatives such as that of Riemann. Cochrane found the mathematical tools he needed to join the probability functions of quantum physics to the structures defined by distortions of space-time in the "strange attractors" of Fractal Geometry's framework for the study of "chaos".

 

The warp effect itself derives from Cochrane's advanced concepts of gravitation under which the interaction between the mass of a physical body and the surrounding space/time matrix defines a complex mathematical field known as a continuum profile. On a purely theoretical level, Cochrane was able to establish a new understanding of the term velocity by demonstrating an intriguing difference in the continuum profiles of moving objects versus those stationary relative to the observer. All objects having mass distort the space/time continuum around them, but when an object is in motion relative to the observer, the pattern of the this distortion, known as the continuum profile, becomes skewed along the direction of travel.

 

Space/time is not infinitely malleable, it takes a minute but finite interval for gravitational distortions to be fully manifested upon newly encountered regions. Because of this propagation-time factor, the region of space/time in front of a moving object at a given instant is not as distorted as it would be had the object in question been exerting its gravitational influence on it for an arbitrarily long period, and the region behind the traveling body shows excess distortion because of the time it takes to flatten back to its undisturbed state. The concept of relative motion remains in force, for the skewing of the continuum profiles of all objects in the universe is measured from the vantage point of the observer's own comparably skewed line of travel. In measuring the velocity relative to himself, the observer is actually noting the degree of continuum profile skewing relative to his own, and an inertial frame of reference becomes one with a constant degree of skew.

 

In astrophysics, this effect is largely muted by the ability of space/time to "remember" repeated transits, so that all cyclic motions, such as the orbits of planets, literally "groove" their paths into the very fabric of the continuum, diminishing the skewing effect to almost vanishing levels. Also, such circular motions involve the interaction of mutually influencing bodies, so that each experience far more change in the direction of its skewing factor than in its absolute magnitude.

 

But for non-cyclic motions, such as that of spacecraft executing huge linear translations thru the continuum, the effect is sufficiently pronounced to impact observations made from onboard instruments.”

 

Before his eyes drift off into slumber, rosetto quickly flips to the back of the book in his hand to determine the author of the text he was reading. It was actually based on a Grad Student’s Senior Thesis, a young engineer from England named Leon Myerson.

Edited April 27, 2010 by rosetto

[rosetto 0]

==/\== C A D E T (SCRATCH) E N S I G N L O G ==/\==

 

 

It was BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY for rosetto tonite but he knew that the practical ‘graduation’ was merely a part of his duty as a Star Fleet Cadet. Although it did grant him privilege to use the rank of Ensign, his academic grades weighed heavily on his mind. They constituted nearly 45% of his overall accreditation and his senior thesis would bear another 20%. Without these, placement, especially on an active duty starship, was highly unlikely.

 

He continued to read:

 

In creating his unified field theory, Cochrane opened the door to full-scale interaction/exchange between the primal forces of nature. Using the analytic tools of his carefully derived Impulsor Calculus, he has able to map out complex yet stable forms of interwoven electro-magnetic fields which would cross "the line" by manifesting part of their effect in the form of gravitational phenomena. He was then able to follow the conceptual trail back to the actual design and construction of field generating coils that could transform his theories into useful technology. In his first great practical success, he proved that if his coil systems were used to reconfigure the continuum profile of a "stationary" object so that it acquired the relative "skew" of a moving one, it moved accordingly.

 

He feared the math involved as Calculus was never his strong subject but he was up for the challenge. It was just a matter of focus, forgetting all of the other distractions and visualizing the numbers as they moved on the page and formed such alien landscapes as those found in the Orion Cascades.

 

This led first to the development of the long wished-for "jetless" space drive, ultimately called "Impulse drive", in which designers no longer needed to bother about reaction mass carried onboard only to serve as kinetic exhaust. Later studies revealed that the application of sufficient power to the skewing field would produce a degree of skew effect so highly pronounced as to be insupportable by the familiar Einsteinian continuum. Attaining this "threshold" level would so stress the ordinary continuum that a vessel and its surrounding field envelope would literally be ejected into a higher order continuum in which the speed of light was no longer relevant as a limiting factor. Cochrane himself visualized our familiar continuum as "floating" above the larger realm, and so described the transition process as "dropping into sub-space".

 

‘WOW! I made it! I cannot believe that two of the toughest commanders graduated me!’ He was still trembling as he tried to study. Where would he be in another year’s age? What new wonders would pass his eyes? He looked despairingly at himself in the mirror. How many times would he blow up the ship for real! He read on:

 

Just as the 20th century's mastery of undreamed of natural forces such as electricity produces technological wonders inconceivable to 17th century minds, so did Cochrane's breakthrough set the stage for a vast family of related discoveries and devices that seem almost magical to residents of his time. In the decades following the construction of the first "impulsor drives", further experimentation and theoretical studies led to totally different, often unexpected, applications of the basic Cochrane coil system. The coil itself would become as basic a concept to an entire branch of technology as the "circuit" is to the field of electrical engineering.

 

Physicist Alicia Chalmbers interwove two coils. One was wound clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. She then sent twin currents thru them in opposite directions. The "Chalmbers" coil did not move, as its external effect upon the continuum was balanced between opposite and equal influences, but within the dual-coil itself a profound disruption of space/time took place. Wave like patterns of variation in the "topological gradient" or distort ability of space/time, went out equally in all directions. A second Chalmbers coil, though unenergized, reacted to the distortion pattern by converting part of its energy content back into electricity. Of course, modulations in the current flow to the first Chalmbers coil were echoed analog fashion in the current output of the second "receiving" coil, giving birth to sub-space radio. The effect propagates at the theoretical limit of the warp effect, Warp 10, the actual speed depending on whether the Chalmbers coils are of the Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary variety. All StarFleet, and virtually all modern civilian vessels, use Tertiary Chalmbers systems, allowing communications at 131792.79 x C. Passive listening for natural occurrences of this phenomena, and the active use of a form of sub-space radio in "radar" mode, constitute much of the sensor technology of Starships.

 

His head bubbled with enlightenment as he slowly fell into sleep. “Computer. Lights Off…”

Edited April 28, 2010 by rosetto

[Surran 0]

Rosetto, I must compliment you on your style and inspiration.

 

However, concerning the facts of your post, I would hope you would take the time to recheck several of the facts.

The description of Impulse drive you give is contradicted by the definition of impulse, the memory alpha wiki, and statements made by characters in the show.

 

You describe it as a reaction less drive which would create problems of unfathomable magnitudes. Firstly, it violates the law of conservation of momentum. Secondly, there is no necessary speed limitation which means that a large impulse engine would also double as a weapon of mass destruction, the list goes on. There are other issues, but I hope I have set you on the right track for correcting the problem.

[rosetto 0]

Rosetto, I must compliment you on your style and inspiration.

 

However, concerning the facts of your post, I would hope you would take the time to recheck several of the facts.

The description of Impulse drive you give is contradicted by the definition of impulse, the memory alpha wiki, and statements made by characters in the show.

 

You describe it as a reaction less drive which would create problems of unfathomable magnitudes. Firstly, it violates the law of conservation of momentum. Secondly, there is no necessary speed limitation which means that a large impulse engine would also double as a weapon of mass destruction, the list goes on. There are other issues, but I hope I have set you on the right track for correcting the problem.

 

Mr. Surran:

 

<OOC> I take all of my basis of how things basically operate from a document submitted by a Mr. Leon Myerson back in 1988 where he has extrapulated an incredibly believeable series of developments based on Zephram Cochrane's Impulsor Calculus and how it steps off where Einstein's Relativity and the world of Quatum Mechanics leave us scratching our heads. In this document, which is available in many places on line, notably [http://www.textfiles.com/sf/STARTREK/sttech.txt] you will find that the Impulse Drives are essentially drives without the need of reaction mass and they are liken to a warp drive at a lower energy level; they came first. I had read this many years ago and realized then that if there is a merger of the primary forces of nature linking Gravity with the others then what Myerson describes makes sense as to why we have been unable to isolate it thus far. Please read the document with an open mind and considering the TNG was NEW at the time of its writing and many what I consider non-canon scripts and publications had followed.

 

<IC>

 

Mr. Surran:

 

Thank you sir. I have done much of my studying at University of Mars, Utopia. Granted, there were limited and dated resources at my disposal and I am finding a vast resource of knowledge here in San Francisco. My current aim is to learn as much as I possibly can before submitting my Senior Thesis in hopes that I will find a mutually beneficial post in my future.

 

I must say that I have been thoroughly impressed by your actions in the SIMs and am certain that your academic records hold a similar rating. I hope that perhaps we may find time to exchange knowledge. This would be quite an experience for me as I know very little of the Vulcan culture and I would enjoy anything that you may want to share.

 

ens rosetto

Edited May 1, 2010 by rosetto