arXiv · 1007.0034
On polymorphic logical gates in sub-excitable chemical medium
Abstract
In a sub-excitable light-sensitive Belousov-Zhabotinsky chemical medium an asymmetric disturbance causes the formation of localized traveling wave-fragments. Under the right conditions these wave-fragment can conserve their shape and velocity vectors for extended time periods. The size and life span of a fragment depend on the illumination level of the medium. When two or more wave-fragments collide they annihilate or merge into a new wave-fragment. In computer simulations based on the Oregonator model we demonstrate that the outcomes of inter-fragment collisions can be controlled by varying the illumination level applied to the medium. We interpret these wave-fragments as values of Boolean variables and design collision-based polymorphic logical gates. The gate implements operation XNOR for low illumination, and it acts as NOR gate for high illumination. As a NOR gate is a universal gate then we are able to demonstrate that a simulated light sensitive BZ medium exhibits computational universality.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Andrew Adamatzky, Ben De Lacy Costello, Larry Bull. 2010-06-30. On polymorphic logical gates in sub-excitable chemical medium. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0218127411029574
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.