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
Characteristics: Lightentities are defined by their effects on the system rather than by a fixed material form.
Applications: In theoretical modelling of optical networks, lightentities help analyze routing reliability, congestion, and timing synchronization
Limitations and reception: Because lightentities are not universally defined objects, the term remains informal in most
See also: Photonics, Optical communications, Quantum optics, Information theory