Nathan White

The Luminiferous Subionic Microscopical Analyzer

The String Theory is a radical concept that proposes that the world contains “unseen dimensions, and many more particles than are presently known.” (Smolin, 2006) In addition, at the same time is proposes, “that all elementary particles arise from the vibrations of a single entity – a string – that obeys simple and beautiful laws.” (Smolin, 2006)
The String Theory involves invisible strings moving in “simple backgrounds, such as flat ten-dimensional spacetime, where the geometry of the background is unchanging in time and the cosmological constant is zero”. These theories are best understood because as Smolin points out that they are “well defined and give finite and consistent predictions”.

These strings exist in a one-dimensional world, floating in spacetime. The strings contain tension, contain energy and become excited under tension. Some may have heard these strings dancing.
Smolin writes that some of the reasons that string theory makes no new predictions is that it “appears to come in an infinite number of versions” – that with the size of the universe its possible that as many as 10500 distinct string theories can exist. Because of the out-of-this-worldly large number, there is no possible way of proving string theory incorrect, but it can also not be proved to be true.

The Luminiferous Subinoic Microscopical Analyzer is a magical device that delves into this uncharted territory, beyond space, time and relativity, past the Atom and into the confusing and foreign world of String Theory. The device invites one to gaze into the unfamiliar world and witness the gorgeous complexity of these dancing strings of energy that exist all around us, understanding how they react to spatial changes while becoming more familiar with the String Theory. Basically allowing the audience to understand String Theory on a more complex and personal level.

The project’s major goal is to allow an audience to become more familiar with the String Theory, understanding how and why, while simultaneously answering some of the most compelling questions String Theory has arose; How do the Strings exist? How do these Strings of Energy respond to spatial changes? Can we manipulate these Strings? Are they manipulating us?

The installation is a gorgeous Steam-punk style microscope that is housed on top of a plinth. A webcam is mounted within the installation and detects movement; this is then transferred to a computer, through to a Max MSP patch. Contained inside the plinth is a vertically mounted projector that projects the image vertically up onto a piece of frosted plastic housed at the very top of the plinth. As the viewer looks down through the barrel of the microscope they are able to see the image projected through the scope. Located on the side of the Microscope is a dial that magnifies the image, using a potentiometer and an Arduino, the values are sent into the Max MSP patch to alter the visuals and create the sense of magnification. Attached to the side of the microscope is a second telescope that allows the viewer to see what the camera see’s unaltered, enforcing the parallel of what they see through the microscope is happening in real life and allowing a direct comparison between the two.

Steampunk was chosen as the overall aesthetic for the design not only because it represents my personal style as a designer but also because of its magical-like qualities. Steampunk is extremely unique, delicate and is very inviting. This was paramount to my design because it helped to allure and engage the audience; the whole construction is fascinating from a distance and even more intricate and detailed viewing at close proximity. Steampunk also allowed a large amount of freedom for a narrative to be constructed around my design, aiding in my conceptual process, and presentations.

Click here to view the Workbook

- Smolin, Lee. (2006). The Trouble with Physics. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Original Article