lightentities

Lightentities are a theoretical construct used in discussions of photonic information systems to refer to discrete, non-material carriers of information that propagate through optical media. The term is most often used as a metaphor or modelling tool rather than a claim about tangible objects. In this usage, a lightentity denotes an elementary state or event that can influence network behavior—such as triggering a router or modulating a signal—without implying a physical object separate from the photons that carry the signal.

Origins and usage: The concept emerged in late 20th to 21st century discussions of photonic computing and high-speed optical networks, where researchers sought intuitive models for information flow that respect light-speed constraints. Lightentities are typically introduced to simplify complex dynamics and to distinguish information events from the physical carriers themselves.

Characteristics: Lightentities are defined by their effects on the system rather than by a fixed material form. They are described by parameters such as trajectory (path through the network), timing (latency), energy, polarization, and phase relationships. In modelling, they can be created, transformed, or annihilated at nodes; they obey the principles of superposition and interference that apply to light.

Applications: In theoretical modelling of optical networks, lightentities help analyze routing reliability, congestion, and timing synchronization in purely photonic architectures. They can also serve as a teaching metaphor in courses on photonics and information theory.

Limitations and reception: Because lightentities are not universally defined objects, the term remains informal in most technical contexts and should not be conflated with photons or quantum particles.

See also: Photonics, Optical communications, Quantum optics, Information theory