this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2024
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xkcd

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xkcd #2991: Beamsplitters (xkcd.com)
submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/xkcd
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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 12 points 1 month 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 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Did you read the explainxkcd link?

[–] NocturnalMorning 1 points 1 month ago

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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month 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.