...walls can
generate hob graphic images that appear to extend for an unlimited distance.
Holograms can also be projected into space They can be augmented with force
beams to simulate solid, tangible objects or with replicator technology
to create actual solid matter such as foodstuffs.
Holodeck matter
can impersonate real matter even at the molecular level.Molecule-sized
magnetic bubbles replace molecules in full- resolution holo-objects. The
computer can manipulate them individually in three dimensions. The computer
may use large magnetic bubbles to simulate surfaces and textures rather
than create an object at the molecular level.
Computers can
not duplicate the complexity of electron shell activity and atomic motions
that determine biochemical activity in living creatures. This prevents
replicators from duplicating life and resurrecting the dead. Advances in
computer technology may allow this, permitting a person to live for ever
in any chosen environment while interacting with real people and objects
visiting the holodeck. On the other hand, a per son can he injured on the
holodeck.
All foods eaten
on the holodeck are replications. No other type of simulation would survive
outside of the holodeck.
The holodeck
includes a force field treadmill. Approaching a wall causes an instant
shift away. The holodeck can change gravity in three dimensions, so occupants
don't notice the change.
Any technology
has limitations. "Reality gaps" can be come apparent.
The Voyager
crew
once tried to hook the holodeck power systems to the main power systems
and blew out a conduit. This explains why the crew uses the holodeck despite
the limitations on power supplies aboard the lost starship.
The Emergency
Medical Hologram
The Voyager
has the only holographic doctor. The Holodoc is an empty shell with nothing
beneath the apparent surface to avoid wasting Computer power simulating
unnecessary internal Organs.
Holodecks
use "omnidirectional holographic diodes." The Voyager's sickbay is fitted
with a system of OHDs that project an image of the Doctor. Each projects
a complete image. Visible portions change as the Doctor moves, creating
an illusion of fluid motion.
Magnetic containment
fields allow the Doctor to interact with physical objects. These force
fields move as the Doctor moves to create the appearance of solid matter.
He can shut off the containment fields, allowing objects and people to
pass through him.
Similar OHDs
and magnetic fields were added to other parts of the ship, allowing the
Doctor to leave sickbay. The Doctor's first mission away from sickbay took
place on the holodeck.
His cohesion
can range from solid to in tangible. He appears human in other ways. He
eats, drinks, and exhibits a dry sarcasm.
The Doctor
possesses a data bank of medical information. He is slowly developing his
own personality. The Doctor now possesses the emotional range of an average
human crew member. He can become proud, caring, lonely, happy, indignant,
annoyed, and angry. He even once confessed that he was anxious before going
on his first "away" mission out of sickbay. The Doctor has begun to interact
with other crew members in an intimate way. He has enjoyed two, brief,
romantic relationships.
He now has
sole control over his own on/off command. He not only doctors patients
but also keeps records, maintains equipment, and performs other duties
in sickbay.
The Holographic
Emitter
The Emergency
Medical Hologram onboard the U. S. S. Voyager NCC-74656 uses an autonomous,
self-sustaining mobile holoemitter that was made in the 29th century. The
tiny device can perform all the functions usually performed by the arrays
of holoemitters that are built into the ship's sickbay and holodecks. Technologically
it is far more advanced than anything developed in the 24th century by
Starfleet, and the crew have only a very basic understanding of how it
works.
The mobile
emitter is only a few centimeters in length, and is constructed from a
smooth, gray metal. It has an independent power supply, and can store the
entire EMH program and project the solid light hologram in almost any environment.
This not only allows the EMH to move freely around the ship, but also allows
him to leave it in order to accompany members of the crew on away missions.
Although the holoemitter originated in the 29th century, the Doctor acquired
it on a visit to the 20th century; it was one of several artifacts that
had been appropriated by the entrepreneur Henry Starling when he found
a crashed timeship. Starling down-loaded the Doctor from Voyager's computers
and gave him the holoemitter to make him mobile. The holoemitter has a
memory large enough to store more than one holographic program, but it
appears that it can only project one hologram at a time. The visible interface
consists of only a few controls, but they can be used to make adjustments
to the Doctor's program. For example, when the crew were marooned on a
Nyrian colony ship, B'Elanna Torres made adjustments to the holoemitter
that effectively turned the Doctor into a tricorder. His optical sensors
were reconfigured, increasing his optical resolution and allowing him to
see energy signatures emitted from surrounding portals.
The holo-emitter
has some weaknesses. Its ability to project and store holoprograms can
be affected by energy surges and radiation, and it can be deacti-vated
by a sharp blow. Since the holoemitter does not appear to have a safety
backup, if the Doctor's program is endangered he returns to sickbay and
down-loads himself into the ship's main computers. The process of downloading
the program from one system to the other takes only a few seconds. The
process also works in reverse if Voyagers computers are damaged, the Doctor
can protect himself by downloading his program into the holo-emitter.