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/

  • @NocturnalMorning
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    123 months ago

    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
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      73 months ago

      Did you read the explainxkcd link?

      • @NocturnalMorning
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        13 months ago

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

    • @[email protected]
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      23 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.