Reflectorless rotating oscillator: Difference between revisions
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A ''' | A '''reflectorless rotating oscillator''' (or '''looping spaceship''') is a hypothetical pattern, which rotates itself after a certain number of [[generation]]s. There is the additional constraint that two non-interacting copies of the pattern could be combined into an [[oscillator]] with a [[period]] equal to exactly half of that of the component oscillators. This is like the [[pi orbital]], but without the stabilisation. | ||
Such patterns can be proven to exist (see [[universal constructor]]), but none have been explicitly constructed in [[Life]]. A universal constructor-based RRO has no limit on the number of independent patterns that can orbit a single point. | Such patterns can be proven to exist (see [[universal constructor]]), but none have been explicitly constructed in [[Life]]. A universal constructor-based RRO has no limit on the number of independent patterns that can orbit a single point. | ||
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There is only one known reflectorless rotating oscillator in a [[Life-like cellular automaton]]. It exists in B02348/S0123, and has a period of 272. | There is only one known reflectorless rotating oscillator in a [[Life-like cellular automaton]]. It exists in B02348/S0123, and has a period of 272. | ||
Dean Hickerson discovered a reflectorless rotating oscillator in a [[Larger than Life]] cellular automaton, which has a period of 552. He placed eight copies in a circle, | Dean Hickerson discovered a reflectorless rotating oscillator in a [[Larger than Life]] cellular automaton, which has a period of 552. He placed eight copies in a circle, yielding a period-69 oscillator. [[Dave Greene]] noticed that twelve copies can orbit a central point with period 46. | ||
Revision as of 21:57, 3 November 2015
A reflectorless rotating oscillator (or looping spaceship) is a hypothetical pattern, which rotates itself after a certain number of generations. There is the additional constraint that two non-interacting copies of the pattern could be combined into an oscillator with a period equal to exactly half of that of the component oscillators. This is like the pi orbital, but without the stabilisation.
Such patterns can be proven to exist (see universal constructor), but none have been explicitly constructed in Life. A universal constructor-based RRO has no limit on the number of independent patterns that can orbit a single point.
There is only one known reflectorless rotating oscillator in a Life-like cellular automaton. It exists in B02348/S0123, and has a period of 272.
Dean Hickerson discovered a reflectorless rotating oscillator in a Larger than Life cellular automaton, which has a period of 552. He placed eight copies in a circle, yielding a period-69 oscillator. Dave Greene noticed that twelve copies can orbit a central point with period 46.