Quantum singularity

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. [cite book | last = Greene | first = Brian | authorlink = Brian Greene | year = 2000 | title = The Elegant Universe | publisher = Random House | id = ISBN 0-375-70811-1]

In Star Trek

A quantum singularity is a phenomenon of multiple varieties. One such variety appears in the 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. In Voyager episode "Hunters" the Voyager crew discover a Hirogen relay station almost 100,000 years old that is powered by a quantum singularity. The word "tiny" is used to apparently describe the dimensions of the quantum singularity. Specifically, it is stated to be about "a centimeter" in diameter, making it, in fact, ironically and paradoxically enormous. In episode "Scorpion" Species 8472 and the Borg make use of quantum singularities to travel to and from fluidic space.

Artificial quantum singularities are also used to power Romulan Warbirds. This is a minor plot point in the episode "Timescape". Additionally, in the episode "Visionary" the side effects from Quantum Singularities cause one character to begin shifting through time.

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.

In Megas XLR

In the episode "Battle Royale", the villain Magnanimous threatens to drop Kiva and Jamie into a quantum singularity, which he says is "like a black hole, only portable, and with a cooler name."

In Farscape

In the episode "Back and Back and Back to the Future", a scientist belonging to the Ilanic race develops a Quantum Singularity to be used as an ultimate weapon against their enemies. It was described essentially as a portable black hole.

References