Quantum singularity (fiction)
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In science fiction, the term quantum singularity is used to refer to many different phenomena, which often approximately resemble a gravitational singularity in the scientific sense in that they are massive, localized distortions of space and time. The name invokes one of the most fundamental problems remaining in modern physics: the difficulty in merging Einstein's Theory of Relativity (which includes singularities within its models of black holes) and quantum mechanics. In fact, since singularities are infinitely small according to relativity, they are expected to be quantum mechanical by their nature; a theory of quantum gravity would be required to describe this behavior, and no such theory has yet been completed. [1]
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[edit] In Star Trek
A quantum singularity is a phenomena of multiple varieties. One such variety appears in the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Parallax". The singularity creates a mirror image and a temporal distortion. Voyager flies into the singularity after seeing an image of itself inside. To escape, the crew uses a shuttle and fires a dekyon beam at an opening created upon entry.
Artificial quantum singularities are also used to power Romulan Warbirds. This is a minor plot point in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Timescape". As well, in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Visionary" the side effects from Quantum Singularities cause one character to begin shifting through time.
[edit] In Futurama
In the episode of Futurama, "Love and Rocket", the term Quantum Singularity is used after Bender breaks-up with the Planet Express ship, who he only dated during this episode. The ship takes the break-up pretty hard and then threatens to fly into a giant quasar, thus "the power of 10 billion black holes will smush me and Bender together into a beautiful eternal quantum singularity." Bender gets the crew out of the situation by professing his love for the ship, albeit sarcastically, which distracts it long enough for Fry and Leela to disable the ship's logical processes and restore life support systems.
[edit] In Megas XLR
In the episode "Battle Royale", the villain Magnanimous threatens to drop Kiva and Jamie into a quantum singularity, which he defines as "a portable black hole, but with a cooler name."
