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Is there any lifeform that needs it? With light sensors that basically give us line-of-sight range, I don't see which problem organic lasers would solve.
by Iv 7y ago
Is there any lifeform that needs it? With light sensors that basically give us line-of-sight range, I don't see which problem organic lasers would solve.
- mrmonkeyman 7y agoPoint is, that nature doesn't even try them.
- ben_w 7y agoThe ability to dazzle an attacker or prey seems useful when one is hunting the other.
- wnkrshm 7y agoWhat single-mode lasers do offer is a means of inconspicuous communication. If you can aim your communications channel at a receiver, you cannot easily be detected. But life could do similar things with collimating reflectors, even for sound. Are there organisms that use geometry to shape sound to send a signal? I'm only aware of ones that use geometry to boost/tune their reception (e.g. owls). Edit: Dolphins apparently
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y ago> Are there organisms that use geometry to shape sound to send a signal? Wouldn’t this include pretty much any animal than can vocalise?
- wnkrshm 7y agoTechnically yes but what I mean is: Are there organisms that shape that sound into a tightly focused beam, to be able to only address the receivers they aim at?
- pfdietz 7y agoBats, dolphins. Dolphins even used focused beams of high intensity sound to stun fish, I believe.
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y agoAre you talking about echo location? I don’t believe this is understood to be a form or communication?
- TheSpiceIsLife 7y agoI’m being lazy here, but isn’t this what happens when you cup your hands over someone’s ears to whisper? Or ever just turn to the person and talk quietly.