Ray tracing -- computing the incomputable?
Abstract
We recall from previous work a model-independent framework of computational complexity theory. Notably for the present paper, the framework allows formalization of the issues of precision that present themselves when one considers physical, error-prone (especially analogue rather than digital) computational systems. We take as a case study the ray-tracing problem, a Turing-machine-incomputable problem that can, in apparent violation of the Church-Turing thesis, nonetheless be said to be solved by certain optical computers; however, we apply the framework of complexity theory so as to formalize the intuition that the purported super-Turing power of these computers in fact vanishes once precision is properly considered.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1404.0075,
title = {Ray tracing -- computing the incomputable?},
author = {Ed Blakey},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1404.0075},
year = {2014}
}
Comments
In Proceedings DCM 2012, arXiv:1403.7579