Phi spark
| Phi spark | |||||||||
| View static image | |||||||||
| Pattern type | Spark | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of cells | 10 | ||||||||
| Bounding box | 5 × 4 | ||||||||
| Static symmetry | Unspecified | ||||||||
| Discovered by | Unknown | ||||||||
| Year of discovery | 1970 | ||||||||
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A phi spark is a common, large symmetric spark that dies in 9 generations. It gains its name from resemblance of its generation 1 to a capital letter phi (ɸ).
Sparker oscillators which produce phi sparks are called phi-sparkers and are of considerable importance due to the several uses of the spark. The pentadecathlon, which splits into two phi sparks during its cycle for a span of five generations before their central halves regenerate the oscillator, is the most commonly used. Other phi sparkers include Tanner's p46.
The phi spark has the same symmetries as the line-of-six spark, a visually similar spark which follows a comparable evolution sequence.
Occurrence and evolution
Phi sparks are a rather common sight in the evolution of soups, being produced during the evolution of the well-known Herschel.
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A phi spark. |
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Generation 1 reveals the origin of the name. |
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A triangle is a common parent of the phi spark. |
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A 7-cell pattern arising from a Herschel, which becomes a phi spark in 8 generations (a triangle in 7). |
The majority of phi sparks have a triangle as a parent. Other parents do exist; the second most common parent is displayed below. A 2×5 rectangle also becomes a phi spark, but its natural occurrence is uncommon.
| Another phi spark parent (click above to open LifeViewer) |
Uses
The bi-block reaction seen in several oscillators involves a bi-block being perturbed such that it would evolve into a phi spark. The triangular parent is then also sparked, causing it to revert to a bi-block in the exact same location.
Interactions with gliders
Phi sparks can interact with gliders in several ways, with reflections being one of the most commonly utilised such interactions.
| (click above to open LifeViewer) RLE: here Plaintext: here |
As an induction coil
Some natural period-2 oscillators have generation 0 of the phi spark with the three-cell leading edge on each side stabilized by various objects. The center oscillates with period 2 in a similar manner to a spark coil or test tube baby.
| An example of the paragraph above (click above to open LifeViewer) |
See also
External links
- Phi spark at the Life Lexicon