True Photons & Tachyons

[Tropylium]

A topic I had thought I already started during my last active time on the forums, but I cannot find it or any evidence to the effect, so apparently not.

Anything called "photons" are usually small but > 1 cell spaceships that move at c. Here is a more elementary-particle-like take on photons: a rule with an additional state that always moves in a given direction, but otherwise counts as a normal live cell. For a starting example, this is a ruletable for Life + photons travelling east (we could do this with almost any CA though):

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@RULE TruePhoton-Life
# eastward elementary photons plus Life

@TABLE
n_states:3
neighborhood:Moore
symmetries:none
var a={0,1,2}
var b={a}
var c={a}
var d={a}
var e={a}
var f={a}
var g={a}
var h={a}
var i={1,2} 
var j={i}
var k={i}
# photons unconditionally move east
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,2,h,2 
# b3, s3
a,i,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,1
a,i,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,1
a,i,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,1
a,i,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,1
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,1
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,1
a,i,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,1
a,i,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,1
a,i,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,1
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,1
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,1
a,i,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,1
a,i,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,1
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,1
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,1
a,i,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,1
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,1
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,1
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,1
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,1
a,i,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,1
a,0,i,j,k,0,0,0,0,1
a,0,i,j,0,k,0,0,0,1
a,0,i,j,0,0,k,0,0,1
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,k,0,1
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,0,k,1
a,0,i,0,j,k,0,0,0,1
a,0,i,0,j,0,k,0,0,1
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,k,0,1
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,0,k,1
a,0,i,0,0,j,k,0,0,1
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,k,0,1
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,0,k,1
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,k,0,1
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,0,k,1
a,0,i,0,0,0,0,j,k,1
a,0,0,i,j,k,0,0,0,1
a,0,0,i,j,0,k,0,0,1
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,k,0,1
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,0,k,1
a,0,0,i,0,j,k,0,0,1
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,k,0,1
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,0,k,1
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,k,0,1
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,0,k,1
a,0,0,i,0,0,0,j,k,1
a,0,0,0,i,j,k,0,0,1
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,k,0,1
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,0,k,1
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,k,0,1
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,0,k,1
a,0,0,0,i,0,0,j,k,1
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,k,0,1
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,0,k,1
a,0,0,0,0,i,0,j,k,1
a,0,0,0,0,0,i,j,k,1
# s2
i,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,0,1
i,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,0,1
i,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,0,1
i,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,0,1
i,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,0,1
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,0,1
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,0,k,1
i,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,1
i,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,1
i,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,1
i,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,1
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,1
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,1
i,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,1
i,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,1
i,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,1
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,1
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,1
i,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,1
i,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,1
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,1
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,1
i,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,1
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,1
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,1
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,1
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,1
i,0,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,1
# otherwise death
i,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,0

@COLORS
0 0 0 0
1 255 255 255
2 255 255 0

(Any variety of photons or tachyons combined with any other rule can be also emulated by hand relatively simply: draw your starting particles, generate 1 timestep, redraw the particles at the desired location, repeat.)

Photons can accrue a variety of tagalongs, allowing the creation of all sorts of spaceships, rakes and puffers. Here are some small ones attached to one photon or a domino pair:

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x = 31, y = 77, rule = TruePhoton-Life
8.A$8.AB7$26.2A$27.A7$7.2A18.2A$8.AB19.AB$7.2A20.AB$27.2A3$6.A17.A.A$
5.A2.A15.A.3A$8.AB19.AB$5.A2.A20.AB$24.A.3A$24.A.A3$8.A16.A$8.AB17.A$
7.2A18.2A$26.A2.AB$26.A2.AB$27.2A$27.A$25.A$6.A$5.4A$8.AB$5.4A$5.A9$A
$.A$2.A2.A2.A$2.2A.A2.AB$2.A2.A2.A$.A$A15$6.A$5.A2.A$4.A3.AB$5.A2.A$
6.A!

Sometimes we can find also shoots; here are a "snakebuilder" and "bunstacker":

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x = 15, y = 25, rule = TruePhoton-Life
14.B$8.2A4.B$8.2A4.B2$8.2A4.B$8.2A4.B$14.B11$4.A3.AB$2A.A.A.A2.B$.A.A
.A.A3.B$A2.2A3.A3.B$2A11.B$10.A3.B$9.A3.AB$10.A!

Also the singular ant could be plugged also into a stationary or moving end for the ants wick, creating a wickstretcher.

It might be possible to also discover "natural wicks" that are stretched by some arragement of photons; cf. tachyonic wicks below.

Another more interesting output is perhaps this natural B-wave breeder:

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x = 4, y = 4, rule = TruePhoton-Life
2A$2.AB$2.AB$.A!

---

Anyway, not to dwell on photons specifically too much just yet. We can also create a ruletable for tachyons by adding extra states to the main part of the rule. The following encodes 2c orthogonal tachyons on Life: state 1 follows the Life rules but initially gives a quiescent state 2, which only in the next generation gives a live state 1. Meanwhile states 3/4/5 keep again moving at c, thus at 2c with respect to Life encoded by states 1/2. States 4/5 are distinguished so that tachyons will jump "over" live cells without harming them.

Code: Select all

@RULE TrueTachyon2co-Life
# eastward elementary tachyons at 2c plus Life

@TABLE
n_states:6
neighborhood:Moore
symmetries:none
var a={0,1,2,3,4,5}
var b={a}
var c={a}
var d={a}
var e={a}
var f={a}
var g={a}
var h={a}
var i={1,3} 
var j={i}
var k={i}
# tachyon + quiescence superposition
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,0,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,0,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,3,0,5
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,3,0,5
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,3,0,5
a,0,0,i,0,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,3,0,5
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,3,0,5
a,0,0,0,i,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,3,0,5
a,0,0,0,0,i,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,0,0,0,i,3,k,5
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,0,0,0,3,k,5

# normal tachyon movement
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,3,h,4
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,4,h,3
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,5,h,3

# quiescence state
2,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,1
5,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,1

# b3, s3
a,i,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,2
a,i,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,2
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,2
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,2
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,2
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,2
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,i,j,k,0,0,0,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,k,0,0,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,0,k,0,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,k,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,j,k,0,0,0,2
a,0,i,0,j,0,k,0,0,2
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,k,0,2
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,0,j,k,0,0,2
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,k,0,2
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,k,0,2
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,0,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,i,j,k,0,0,0,2
a,0,0,i,j,0,k,0,0,2
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,k,0,2
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,0,k,2
a,0,0,i,0,j,k,0,0,2
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,k,0,2
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,0,k,2
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,k,0,2
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,0,k,2
a,0,0,i,0,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,0,i,j,k,0,0,2
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,k,0,2
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,0,k,2
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,k,0,2
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,0,k,2
a,0,0,0,i,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,k,0,2
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,0,k,2
a,0,0,0,0,i,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,0,0,0,i,j,k,2
# s2
i,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,2
i,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,2
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,2
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,2
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,2
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,2
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,2
# otherwise death
i,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,0
4,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,0

@COLORS
0 0 0 0
1 255 255 255
2 191 191 255
3 255 255 0
4 191 191 0
5 255 255 191

For obvious reasons, tachyons do not support tagalongs, and all their output are strictly puffers created by the tachyons themselves. Period-multiplication in the exhaust is not possible either (no reaction can reach far enough forward to prevent itself from occurring), thus all exhaust is p1 with respect to the tachyon engine. Such puffers seem to be effectively emulating a 2D CA of some sort within Life.

The 2c tachyon output in particular seems to often stabilize at a periodic pattern (= an oscillator in the emulated 2D CA), creating a peculiar p44 wick that I reported earlier in the unsure discoveries thread but which is maybe better posted in a dedicated topic here — though it is a valid purely-Life pattern:

Code: Select all

x = 87, y = 11, rule = B3/S23:T88,0
12bobobo$12bob6obo2bobo27bobobo$6bobo11bobobob4obo2bobo17bob6obo2bobo$
7b13obo2bo3bobobobob4o5bo2bobo11bobobob4obo2bobo$o4bobo3bo4bo9bobobobo
bo3bob3o3bobob12obo2bo3bobobobob4obo2bo$4o3bo3bo3bo8bobobobobobobobobo
bob4o3bo3bo3bo8bobobobobobobobobobo$2bobob12obo2bo3bobobobob4obo2bobo
4bobo3bo4bo9bobobobobo3bob3o$bo2bobo11bobobob4obo2bobo16b13obo2bo3bobo
bobob4o$10bob6obo2bobo25bobo11bobobob4obo2bobo$10bobobo41bob6obo2bobo$
56bobobo!

Generated by, for example, an L-tetromino of tachyons travelling in the direction of the trimino face.

The other two wick / waves posted there are similar outputs of 3c tachyons (for which I do not have a ruletable to go at this time).

Something interesting happens though when we implement "knight tachyons" at (2,1):

Code: Select all

@RULE TrueTachyon2cknight-Life
# east-by-northeast elementary tachyons at 2c plus Life

@TABLE
n_states:6
neighborhood:Moore
symmetries:none
var a={0,1,2,3,4,5}
var b={a}
var c={a}
var d={a}
var e={a}
var f={a}
var g={a}
var h={a}
var i={1,3} 
var j={i}
var k={i}
# tachyon + quiescence superposition
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,3,0,5
a,i,0,0,0,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,3,0,5
a,0,i,0,0,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,3,0,5
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,3,0,5
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,3,0,5
a,0,0,i,0,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,3,0,5
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,3,0,5
a,0,0,0,i,0,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,3,0,5
a,0,0,0,0,i,0,3,k,5
a,0,0,0,0,0,i,3,k,5
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,3,0,5
i,0,0,0,0,0,0,3,k,5

# normal tachyon movement
a,b,c,d,e,f,g,3,h,4
a,b,c,d,e,f,4,g,h,3
a,b,c,d,e,f,5,g,h,3

# quiescence state
2,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,1
5,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,1

# b3, s3
a,i,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,2
a,i,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,2
a,i,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,2
a,i,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,2
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,2
a,i,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,2
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,2
a,i,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,2
a,i,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,2
a,i,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,i,j,k,0,0,0,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,k,0,0,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,0,k,0,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,k,0,2
a,0,i,j,0,0,0,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,j,k,0,0,0,2
a,0,i,0,j,0,k,0,0,2
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,k,0,2
a,0,i,0,j,0,0,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,0,j,k,0,0,2
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,k,0,2
a,0,i,0,0,j,0,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,k,0,2
a,0,i,0,0,0,j,0,k,2
a,0,i,0,0,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,i,j,k,0,0,0,2
a,0,0,i,j,0,k,0,0,2
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,k,0,2
a,0,0,i,j,0,0,0,k,2
a,0,0,i,0,j,k,0,0,2
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,k,0,2
a,0,0,i,0,j,0,0,k,2
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,k,0,2
a,0,0,i,0,0,j,0,k,2
a,0,0,i,0,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,0,i,j,k,0,0,2
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,k,0,2
a,0,0,0,i,j,0,0,k,2
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,k,0,2
a,0,0,0,i,0,j,0,k,2
a,0,0,0,i,0,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,k,0,2
a,0,0,0,0,i,j,0,k,2
a,0,0,0,0,i,0,j,k,2
a,0,0,0,0,0,i,j,k,2
# s2
i,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,0,2
i,j,0,0,0,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,0,2
i,0,j,0,0,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,0,2
i,0,0,j,0,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,0,2
i,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,0,2
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,0,2
i,0,0,0,j,0,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,0,2
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,0,2
i,0,0,0,0,j,0,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,0,2
i,0,0,0,0,0,j,0,k,2
i,0,0,0,0,0,0,j,k,2
# otherwise death
i,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,0
4,a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,0

@COLORS
0 0 0 0
1 255 255 255
2 191 191 255
3 255 255 0
4 191 191 0
5 255 255 191

Namely, similar "emulated 2D CA puffers" results as with 2c orthogonal tachyons… however the 2D CA is chaotic, creating in most cases not wicks but impressive reticulated patterns (again, purely made out of Life cells):

Code: Select all

x = 3, y = 2, rule = TrueTachyon2cknight-Life
2C$2.C!

There are still a few plainer spaceship / wickstretcher patterns as well though.

Code: Select all

x = 28, y = 10, rule = TrueTachyon2cknight-Life
25.C$26.C$26.C4$2C$2.C23.C$3.3C20.C$27.C!

[KyYay]

Huh, I've experimented with orthogonal "living photons" before (albeit slightly different, with photons being unable to turn into living cells) but never thought of trying anything other than specifically orthogonal photons, very interesting

[pzq_alex]

That looks like User:GUYTU6J/Repeat.

[Moosey]

Pretty typical large "2c" spaceship seed:

Code: Select all

x = 2, y = 58, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$
.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$
.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$.C$C!

btw, @pzq_alex, this looks like GUYTU6J's stuff because it basically is the same idea, when you consider how information is propagating

[Sarah]

welp, it turned into a self-building ship with one photon added

Code: Select all

x = 221, y = 62, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
208.A.A$186.A.A.A17.A.4A4.A.C$186.A.6A.A2.A.A11.A.3A2.AC$178.A.A.A11.
A.A.A.4A.A2.A.2A3.2A2.AC$178.A.14A.A2.A3.A.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.AC$170.A.A.
A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.AC$170.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$162.A.
A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$162.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.AC$154.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$154.A.22A
.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$146.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$146.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$138.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$138.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$130.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$130.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$8.A.A.A109.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$8.A.6A.A2.A.A99.
A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.AC$A.A.A11.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A81.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$A.14A.A2.A3.A.A.
A.A.4A.A2.A.A71.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$22.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A53.
A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$4.A.10A.A2.A.A.A.A.A.A.A3.A.3A3.A.A.A.A.4A.A
2.A.A43.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$4.A.A.A5.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.4A5.A
2.A.A.A3.A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A25.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$12.A.A.A
.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A13.2A2.A.A.A.A.A3.A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A15.A.22A.A2.A.A.
A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$4.C7.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A13.2A2.A.A.A2.A.A2.
A.A.A.A3.A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$4.A.A.
A5.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.4A5.A2.A.A.A3.A.A.A.A.A3.A.2A2.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A
.A.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$4.A.10A.A2.A.A.A.A.A.A
.A3.A.3A3.A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.3A3.A2.A2.A.A.A.A7.2A22.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$22.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A10.A.A.A.A7.A.A.
A.6A2.A.13A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$A.14A.A2.A3.
A.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A20.A.A.A.A.6A.A2.A.A.A5.A.A.A8.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$A.A.A11.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A26.A.4A.A2.A.A.A25.
A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$8.A.6A.A2.A.A36.
A.A29.A.A.A4.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$8.A.
A.A69.A.A6.A.9A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$82.A
.4A20.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$86.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.
A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$86.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.AC$94.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$94.A.A.A25.A.A.A
.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$102.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$102.A.A.A25.
A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$110.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$110.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.
A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.AC$118.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$118.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$126.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A
2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$126.A.A.A25.A.A.
A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$134.A.22A
.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$134.A
.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$142.
A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$142.A.A.
A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$150.A.22A.A2.A.
A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$150.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.
2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$158.A.22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.
2A2.AC$158.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$166.A.22A.A2.A.A
.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$166.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A2.2A2.2A2.2A2.AC$174.A.
22A.A2.A.A.A.A2.A2.A.A2.AC$174.A.A.A25.A.A.A.A.A3.A.A.C$182.A.14A.A2.
A3.A.A.A.A.4A.C$182.A.A.A11.A.A.A.4A.A2.A.A$190.A.6A.A2.A.A$190.A.A.A
!

[Sarah]

Here's a really tiny seed for self-building

Code: Select all

x = 2, y = 4, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
.C$.C$.C$C!

Edit: Whoops, too small. Here's the correct seed:

Code: Select all

x = 2, y = 5, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
.C$.C$.C$.C$C!

[GUYTU6J]

Huh, interesting to see the idea brought up again this way! (For its history, check the references in that article of mine.)
Tachyons moves and repairs in a manner faster than propagation of any perturbation, meaning that there are a lot more of fly-by reactions including those head-on collisions!

Code: Select all

x = 27, y = 909, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
A.A.A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C7.2A$8.A.A.A.2AC7.2A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A97$A.A.A
19.2A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C7.2A$8.A.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A96$24.2A$A.A.A
19.2A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$8.A.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A95$24.2A$24.2A$A.A
.A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$8.A.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A94$24.2A$24.2A2$A.A.A
$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$8.A.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A92$A.A.A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C
8.2A$8.A.A.A.2AC8.2A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A97$A.A.A20.2A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C8.
2A$8.A.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A96$25.2A$A.A.A20.2A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$
8.A.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A95$25.2A$25.2A$A.A.A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$8.A
.A.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A94$25.2A$25.2A2$A.A.A$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$8.A.A
.A.2AC$A.6A.A2.A.A.C$A.A.A!

If there are additional definitions of the rule, so that arbitrary set of tachyon cells can be born at arbitrary period, then designs like this Sierpinski "breeder" factory will make the rule more exciting.
Now, what is the fastest stable Heisenburp (in Life cells, sure) for tachyons?

[Tropylium]

That looks like User:GUYTU6J/Repeat.

I think you're right! Looks like that is the thread I was thinking about but just failed to find again, most of these tachyon examples were posted there already.

At least building actual ruletables for these makes exploration easier ^^' I did some looking for a different periodic trail for 2c, without success so far though (almost everything reduces either to the p44 wick or jackk's original 2c tail). Did a survey of one photon + glider collisions too, most are pretty messy (photon + anything often outputs the smoky p12 backrake) but there is a clean 90° reflection:

Code: Select all

x = 7, y = 3, rule = TruePhoton-Life
6.A$B3.A.A$5.2A!

unfortunately not in a direction that would create a forerake, for which there don't seem to be any especially small engines.

Small p6 and p8 backrakes, though:

Code: Select all

x = 11, y = 34, rule = TruePhoton-Life
10.B$7.B2.B$7.B2.B$5.A4.B15$.B$5.B$6.B$2A4.B$.A6$4.B2$4.2A$5.AB$2.A.
2A$2.A!

FWIW there is also a large number of TL-shifting reactions:

Code: Select all

x = 12, y = 84, rule = TruePhoton-Life
7.3A2$5.A5.A$5.A5.A$5.A5.A2$7.3A$B10$7.3A2$5.A5.A$.B3.A5.A$5.A5.A2$7.
3A9$7.3A2$5.A5.A$5.A5.A$.B3.A5.A2$7.3A8$7.3A2$5.A5.A$5.A5.A$5.A5.A$.B
$7.3A25$7.3A2$5.A5.A$B4.A5.A$5.A5.A2$7.3A!

[pzq_alex]

Large 2c ship

Code: Select all

x = 10, y = 10, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
.E2.2E2.E$.E2.2E.E.E$4.2E.E$.2E.5E$2E.E2.E2.E$.2E3.3E$2.E$2.E.E.3E$E2.
3E2.2E$3E5.2E!

Sth with a repeating component in the middle

Code: Select all

x = 1, y = 27, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C3$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C$C!

[andrewph33]

Code: Select all

x = 10, y = 7, rule = TruePhoton-Life
A$2A.2A$2.B.B.BAB$A9B$2.B.B.BAB$2A.2A$A!

Pulsar puffer.

[andrewph33]

Code: Select all

x = 10, y = 5, rule = TruePhoton-Life
.2A$.3A2.A$2.2A2.2AB$A2.A.A2.A$A.A4.A.B!

9c/9 ship whose "core" are two photons a knight's move apart.

[dvgrn]

Now, what is the fastest stable Heisenburp (in Life cells, sure) for tachyons?

Optimizing this is going to be tough -- none of our search tools really work.

It's easy enough to find a reaction that could be built into a stable pseudo-Heisenburp:

Code: Select all

x = 42, y = 19, rule = TrueTachyon2co-Life
28.2A$28.A$C25.A.A$26.2A11$40.2A$39.2A$12.2A27.A$11.A.A$13.A!

No doubt there's a two-object constellation that will produce a clean glider or two, where the two objects can be rebuilt separately. That's probably better because you don't have to waste time and space synchronizing two signals.

It doesn't seem impossible that there's an actual catalyst that recovers from a tachyon hit, and spits out a signal somehow. But it seems like all new search tools might have to be written to find anything like that.

[andrewph33]

Code: Select all

x = 3, y = 3, rule = TruePhoton-Life
2A$A.B$.2B!

Quadratic-growth of five cells (three photon, two nonphoton).

[wwei47]

Code: Select all

x = 3, y = 3, rule = TruePhoton-Life
2A$A.B$.2B!

Exponential-growth of five cells (three photon, two nonphoton).

That's quite a nice pattern. I would like to mention that it only grows quadratically.

[CasperWen8805181]

Code: Select all

x = 135, y = 54, rule = TruePhoton-Life
27$124.3A2$122.A5.A$122.A5.A$122.A5.A$118.B$92.B31.3A$66.B$40.B$14.B!

mover