Tachyon Communication

"There was a young lady named Bright,
Whose speed was far faster than light.
She went out one day,
In a relative way,
And returned the previous night!

-Reginald Buller."

Tachyons are particles which travels faster than light. According to Einstein's equations of special relativity, a particle with an rest mass and a velocity greater than c (speed of light or 300,000 Km/s) would have a real momentum and energy. Ironically, the greater the kinetic energy of a tachyon, the slower it travels, approaching c asymptotically (from above) as its energy approaches infinity. Alternatively, a tachyon losing kinetic energy travels faster and faster, until as the kinetic energy approaches zero, the speed of the tachyon approaches infinity; such a tachyon with zero energy and infinite speed is called transcendent. Tachyons travels around 100 c with the current technology.

Tachyon particles were first detected in the early 21st century. Within 30 years Tachyons were being used to send information at speeds at about 100 c.

---

Comments, criticisms, suggestions, and additions welcome! E-mail me at [email protected]. Babylon 5, characters, names, and all related indicia are trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. ©1994-1998 Time Warner Entertainment Co. All original text, artwork and page design ©1998 Fournel Computer Services Inc.