Thoughts on the Vision Process – to be continued

The first and fundamental interaction of visible light resulting in the formation of an image in the vision process occurs at the plane of the outer segments of retinal receptors. This interaction occurs spatially in light detection centers (“pixels”) that are of dimensions smaller than light wavelength in the nanometer region and in a time frame of femtoseconds (10^-15 seconds). Considering these dimensions of space and time it might appear that the role of vision is to “interrogate the quantum regime”.

I propose therefore that the plane of receptor outer segments is the point where a “quantum reality” with all of the aspects of probability etc. come into consideration.

I further propose that all subsequent biological and neural processes in the retina and the transit of the image information to the visual centers of the brain function to “slow down” the time scale of image information to human nervous system proportions. This is the regime of slower, classical physics. In theory, the existence and placement of such a transition point between quantum and classical physics has long been debated and has even given a name – the “Heisenberg Cut”.

The fundamental light interaction on the retina then occurs in “nanospace”, i.e., in sub-micron quantum confined electron spaces, and, concurrently in the extremely fast femtosecond or less time regime. This interaction then approaches a minimum of spacetime. Might one see in this a “spacetime fulcrum” that somewhat approaches Julian Barbour’s projection of a zero time – or complete absence of time?

GCH

9.5.08