this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2024
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xkcd #2991: Beamsplitters (xkcd.com)
submitted 10 months ago by schnurrito@discuss.tchncs.de to c/xkcd@lemmy.world
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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.

https://explainxkcd.com/2991/

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[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 12 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Are beam splitters the main component in telescopes? It's funny, but probably way more relatable to an astronomer, or someone who does optics stuff with telescopes.

[–] zorro@lemmy.world 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Did you read the explainxkcd link?

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

No, I didn't realize there was one. Thanks! Totally missed the link

[–] chatokun@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 10 months ago

Pentaprisms from SLR cameras have a similar but slightly different function, so personally as an amateur photographer who doesn't use a SLR but learned about em, I think it's pretty easy for photographers who used such tech to relate.