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Tweak says, "Let there be FOOD!"

Ernie Macmillan is brilliant but flawed (closedcaptioned) wrote in neeps,
@ 2017-12-07 20:26:00

Entry tags:

! journal, ernie macmillan

[Justin]

Did you have your date?

[Георги]

Ready for your first match?

[Fraser]

How are you with mirrors?

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	Razor/Ernie razorfraser 2017-12-08 05:30 am UTC (link)
	What sort of mirror work do you need? Making them? Breaking them? Enchanting them? Scrying through them? As an accessory for shaving? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Razor/Ernie closedcaptioned 2017-12-08 05:43 am UTC (link)
	Enchanting them. I'm having a bear of a time with this one piece that I'm trying to copy and miniaturize at the same time. I can't get the scaling right. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Re: Razor/Ernie

razorfraser
2017-12-08 12:14 pm UTC (link)

Well, more theory than practice, but luckily for us, the theory is almost all maths.

Both of those problems has a conventional solution, depending on what you can tolerate in your outcome. Splitting via a polarizing filter is easy enough, but you get polarized output. A liquid splitter, even as a micro-layer, means you have liquid in your machine, which makes it trickier, plus you lose signal strength when you split. log(n) dB signal strength is a lot to sacrifice.

I assume that based on those drawbacks, you're going to want to use a prism to split the light, followed by an amplifier to boost the output.

Size changes are also classically solved via convex mirrors. You can probably crack the anamorphosis problem with a tunable mirror with a Fibonacci Spiral, or Golden Curve mirror. Simple mechanics to turn it to enlarge or reduce more.

Where it gets tricky, and I have no idea if we can do this, is combining those functions.

For the purpose of inventing this device, let's posit that we can make the missing piece. It has to have properties of a prism and a continuously variable focal depth convex mirror.

If that sounds like the right approach, we can do research and consult experts. Because I can see the equations in broad outline, but the practical bindings during mirror creation are going to be a learning experience for me.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Razor/Ernie closedcaptioned 2017-12-08 02:17 pm UTC (link)
	Fidelity has to be the watchword, but if it's going to be continuously integrating to solve for what the relative size should be...maybe a mirror is the wrong answer. But trying to do that pensieve fluid is so bloody expensive. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Razor/Ernie razorfraser 2017-12-08 03:32 pm UTC (link)
	What other options have you considered? Have you played with Mercury? It's both reflective and conductive, might let you do something interesting. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Razor/Ernie closedcaptioned 2017-12-08 03:52 pm UTC (link)
	Hm. I wonder if I can get that at the apothecaries. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Razor/Ernie razorfraser 2017-12-09 03:06 am UTC (link)
	Should be able to get it. It's pretty common, especially for scrying and transmutation. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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