X-Message-Number: 735
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 92 23:22:05 +0200
From:  (David Stodolsky)
Subject: CRYONICS: re Very High Resolution Brain Scans

In a discussion of Very High Resolution Brain Scans we should not limit
ourselves because of the damage due to scanner energy. It may be possible to
capture the information needed before the input energy disrupts the brain
structure.

For instance, it may be possible to capture structural information by X-ray
holography. This means we start with a highly coherent X-ray source and then
record the information in a photographic plate or crystal lattice. Structure
would have to be preserved for about 1/5 of a nanosecond, the time it takes
light to cross the brain. If this worked, then total destruction of the brain
would not matter, since all information was already captured in the wave front
leaving the brain.

Problems:

First, is this theoretically possible? I am not sure how the holography would
work for an object where internal structures also would have to be recorded. 

Second, what X-ray frequency is needed to record the small structures and what
total energy is required?

Can we generate a coherent beam of the above?


How big would the recording structure need to be? I remember doing a back of the
envelope calculation along these lines and concluding that a block of
photochromic material the size of the Earth would be required if recording was
to be done atom by atom.

This could give good press. It combines uploading with cremation :-)

David S. Stodolsky                Messages: + 45 46 75 77 11 x 24 41
Department of Computer Science                 Tel: + 45 31 95 92 82
Bldg. 20.1, Roskilde University Center        Internet: 
Post Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark        Fax: + 45 46 75 42 01

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