Author & Researcher | Active Duty U.S. Navy
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I specialize in Photonic Detection & Sensing, Quantum Gravity, and Number Theory in Physics. Creator of the SFG Detection Platform — a solid-state, multi-target sensing system using sum-frequency generation in PPLN waveguides. Currently pursuing an AS in Engineering at TCC Chesapeake (August 2026) targeting transfer to Virginia Tech or ODU for photonics.
Four interconnected threads, each building on the last:
Mathematics → Physics → Engineering → Detection
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Mathematics — Started with the Riemann Zeta function and prime number distributions. Discovered that primes are anti-Benford objects: zero digit-order, yet generating all emergent structure. This led to prime numbers as the foundation of causal set theory — replacing CST's 5 axioms with Euler's product formula.
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Physics — Applied Benford's Law to gravitational systems. Built a prime-modified Schwarzschild metric parameterized by the Riemann zeta function with zero free parameters. Validated against GPS time dilation data and LIGO gravitational wave observations (21.4% zeta excess at GW150914 merger).
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Engineering — Built a wavelength-division ternary optical computer using SFG (sum-frequency generation) in lithium niobate. Validated the SFG physics: 6/6 products resolved, 32-80 dB wrong-pair suppression, PPLN periods in standard fab range. Then identified a fundamental issue — SFG adds frequencies, it doesn't multiply. The "multiplication" was a hardware lookup table, not optical arithmetic.
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Detection — Instead of discarding the validated SFG physics, asked: where does passive frequency-pair identification actually matter? Answer: anywhere the inputs are genuinely unknown. This led to the SFG Detection Platform — non-invasive fiber monitoring, multi-gas leak detection, environmental sensing, and breath diagnostics. One core device, many applications. The same physics that failed as a computer succeeds as a detector.
7 papers published — all open access on Zenodo.
A solid-state detection platform using sum-frequency generation in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides. No moving parts. Room-temperature silicon detectors. Physics-based selectivity (32-80 dB). One core device, tuned for different applications by changing PPLN poling periods.
| Application | Repo | What It Detects |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom | sfg-fiber-monitor | WDM channel activity on live fiber — non-invasive, no splice |
| Energy | sfg-energy-monitor | Methane, CO2, CO, H2S — pipeline and facility monitoring |
| Environmental | sfg-environmental-monitor | Petroleum in water, VOCs in air, pollutant detection |
| Healthcare | sfg-health-diagnostics | Breath biomarkers — acetone (diabetes), CO (smoking), H2S (oral health) |
| Market Research | sfg-market-research | Target customers, competitive analysis, regulatory landscape |
| Directional Sensing | directional-gas-detector | Gas ID + source direction + concentration from a single stationary unit |
| Research Papers | papers | Experimental results and publications |
Value proposition: The SFG device is not the cheapest (NDIR wins), most sensitive (TDLAS wins), or most flexible (FTIR wins). It is the most durable multi-target detector for harsh environments — offshore platforms, mines, seismic zones, military field use, first responder operations. The event that breaks your monitor is the same event that causes the leak.
Photonic Detection & Sensing
- SFG upconversion: mid-IR signals converted to visible light for cheap silicon detection
- PPLN waveguide arrays: physics-based wavelength selectivity (32-80 dB suppression)
- Non-invasive fiber monitoring: evanescent field coupling, no splice needed
- Directional gas sensing: stationary sensor arrays with 3D spatial awareness
- Passive IR sources: thermal mass, solar occultation for remote deployment
Quantum Gravity & Spacetime
- Modified Schwarzschild metric with Benford floor and causal set dimension — zero free parameters
- Schwarzschild metric parameterized by zeta(s): the identity zeta(s) x 1/zeta(s) = 1 enforces g_tt x g_rr = -1
- Compatible with 9 of 10 major quantum gravity models
Prime Numbers & Number Theory
- Prime numbers as the foundation of causal set theory — Euler's product replacing CST's 5 axioms
- Riemann Zeta function applied to spacetime geometry
- Primes as anti-Benford objects: zero digit-order yet generating all emergent structure
Benford's Law in Physics
- Benford analysis of the Schwarzschild metric, Bose-Einstein condensates, and quantum statistics
- Complete monotonicity framework deriving quantum statistics from the significant digit distribution
General Relativity & Time Dilation
- River velocity as time dilation — numerical comparison validated against real GPS data
- Black hole interior physics: Hawking radiation, Bekenstein-Hawking entropy, spatial depletion
Gravitational Wave Analysis
- LIGO data analysis — zeta-modified waveform predictions and gravitational wave signatures
The SFG Detection Platform grew out of an optical computing project. The original goal was a wavelength-division ternary optical AI accelerator (N-Radix). The SFG physics was validated (6/6 products, 32-80 dB suppression, fab-ready PPLN designs), but analysis revealed that SFG performs frequency addition, not multiplication. The "optical multiply" was a hardware lookup table, redundant with the electronic controller that already knew both operands.
Rather than force the physics into computing, the project pivoted to detection — where the inputs are genuinely unknown and SFG's passive pair identification is a real advantage.
The original work is archived at wavelength-ternary-optical-computer.
Paper 1 — Modified Schwarzschild Metric
Riner, C. (2026). A Four-Dimensional Spatial Metric with Benford Floor and Causal Set Dimension. Zenodo.
Paper 2 — Bose-Einstein Condensates + Benford's Law
Riner, C. (2026). Complete Monotonicity and Benford's Law: Deriving Quantum Statistics from the Significant Digit Distribution. Zenodo.
Paper 3 — Wavelength-Division Ternary Logic (Theory)
Riner, C. (2026). Wavelength-Division Ternary Logic: Bypassing the Radix Economy Penalty in Optical Computing. Zenodo.
Paper 4 — Optical AI Accelerator (Architecture)
Riner, C. (2026). Wavelength-Division Ternary Computing II: The N-Radix Optical AI Accelerator. Zenodo.
Paper 5 — River Velocity as Time Dilation
Riner, C. (2026). River Velocity as Time Dilation: A Numerical Comparison Against GPS Data. Zenodo.
Paper 6 — Prime Numbers as Causal Set Theory
Riner, C. (2026). Prime Numbers as Causal Set Theory. Zenodo.
Paper 7 — Emergence of GR from Prime Number Structure
Riner, C. (2026). Emergence of General Relativity from the Prime Number Structure of the Riemann Zeta Function. Zenodo.
Photonics & Detection
- SFG upconversion detection systems
- PPLN waveguide design and phase matching
- WDM systems, evanescent coupling, fiber optics
- Lithium niobate (TFLN) photonics
- FDTD electromagnetic simulation (Meep)
- Photonic circuit simulation (SAX)
Analysis & Programming
- Python, NumPy, SciPy
- LIGO data analysis
- GDS layout (photonic chip design)
- Sellmeier equation modeling
Domain Knowledge
- Gas detection technologies (NDIR, TDLAS, FTIR, SFG)
- Mid-IR spectroscopy and absorption
- FDA 510(k) regulatory pathway (breath diagnostics)
- Submarine cable infrastructure
- Military CBRN detection systems
Tidewater Community College — AS in Engineering (starting August 2026) Transfer target: Virginia Tech Center for Photonics Technology or Old Dominion University
Independent Research | Open Source | Photonic Detection | Quantum Gravity | Number Theory