English

Ray tracing -- computing the incomputable?

Computational Complexity 2014-04-02 v1

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

R2 v1 2026-06-22T03:39:45.667Z