#2991: Beamsplitters
Permalink
Transcript
| This is one of 34 incomplete transcripts: Do NOT delete this tag too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! |
[Cross section of a telescope with some parts of the image darkened to represent the path of light, with portions where the light would be more concentrated being darker]
[A large column of light comes in from the left panel border, labeled "Incoming Light."]
[The "Incoming Light" column is focused by a large curved mirror labeled "Primary Mirror," then focused again by a much smaller mirror labeled "Secondary Mirror."]
[After bouncing off the secondary mirror, it passes through a beamsplitter. Half of the light passes through to a sensor, but the other half is reflected into a secret Solar Panel connected to a battery labeled "Power sold to grid."]
[Caption below the panel:]
Astronomy News: The International Astronomical Union has finally banned beamsplitters, optical devices used by scientists to embezzle light from their instruments.
(Sourced from explainxkcd.com)
Title text:Under quantum tax law, photons sent through a beamsplitter don't actually choose which path they took, or incur a tax burden, until their wavefunction collapses when the power is sold.