Description
This article is from the Star Trek Tech
FAQ, by Joshua Bell inexorabletash@hotmail.com with numerous
contributions by others.
26 Holodoc - Voyager's Holodeck technology
"Phage" [VOY] describes Voyager's medical holographic technology in
explicit detail. Unfortunately, I missed the episode. I'm indebted to
Allen G. Newman who wrote most of the following as an article in
rec.arts.startrek.tech:
Voyager's explanation is actually the best yet; it works the best
for explaining all the old questions about holo-matter from TNG.
Apparently, matter on the Holodeck has the potential to be as
detailed as real matter down to the level of molecular resolution.
Instead of being composed of molecules, full-resolution
holo-objects are composed of molecule-sized magnetic bubbles which
can be individually manipulated through three dimensions by the
computer.
The fact that the movement of individual holo-molecules can be
controlled is of vital importance to the holo-lung being able to
work. Replicators cannot create living matter because it is beyond
the ability of the computer to "jump-start" all the necessary
electron shell activity and atomic motions that determine
biochemical activity (movement and transformation of molecules
through the system). This limitation is irrelevant to the
simulation of a lifeform on the Holodeck, though; since the
Holodeck can move, reshape, create and destroy the magnetic-bubble
molecules at will, there is no need to worry about the subatomic
physics that make biochemistry happen on its own in real
life-forms.
Even so, simulating even relatively simple lifeforms (such as
humanoid lungs) stretches the capabilities of the system to the
limit. Neelix had to be held motionless because it was beyond the
ability of the computer to dynamically reorient such a complex,
high-resolution construct. This same limitation makes it currently
impossible to do something as incredible as having the Holodeck
reanimate the complete transporter pattern of a person who had
died, which could theoretically allow a person a kind of
immortality within a Holodeck's simulated confines. (An afterlife
in which a person could forever live in whatever environment the
person chose, while still interacting with real people and objects
visiting the Holodeck may become possible with exponential advances
in computer processing.)
Note that holo-matter only has the potential to be detailed down to
the molecular level. In most cases, the computer would have an
easier time by using much larger magnetic bubbles that merely
simulated surfaces and textures that can be seen and felt by people
in everyday interactions. The image of the holo-doctor is almost
certainly just an empty shell because there's no reason to waste
computer power simulating the workings of internal organs.
Allen makes the assumption that Voyager's sick-bay holographic system
works the same way as the main Holodeck on board Voyager, and that
this is the same again as the Enterprise's Holodecks. On the other
hand, I think the system has just evolved over time, and that
Voyager's sick bay is using the latest and greatest technology.
....
"Why are they being so liberal with the Holodeck on Voyager? Aren't
they short on energy?"
In "Parallax" [VOY] it is mentioned that the crew tried to hook the
Holodeck power systems to the main power systems of Voyager and blew
out a conduit due to incompatibilities. The Holodeck having its own
power source may not make much sense, but at least the production crew
justified the crew's use of it.
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reading, books, Star Trek, holodeck, computers, ship statistics, transporters, replicators, phasing, warp, subspace, warp velocities
