Gravitational spacetime distortion

Gravitational spacetime distortion by creation of intermediate virtual mass particles is the basis for several phenomena and technical applications.

According to Einsteins general theory of relativity, four-dimensional spacetime - defined by the three dimensions of space in addition to time, is distorted by objects with mass. The ability to artificially replicate and control this naturally occuring effect is the foundation for interstellar space exploration.

Application
Theoretically, a vehicle that is able to generate such a localized, selective distortion would be able to achieve apparent superluminal velocities by temporarily compressing spacetime in its direction of travel. In addition, a stronger distortion might cause spactime to bend back on itself, causing two distant points to become superimposed and allowing an instantaneous passage between them.

In order to create the necessary distortion to achieve these effects artificially, intermediate virtual mass particles are created in a high powered particle collider. They are held and compressed by magnetic confinement which tunes the resonant gravitational oscillations. The amplitude of the resonant effect and therefore the magnitude of spacetime distortion is controlled by a complex geometric arrangement of superconducting magnets forming the confinement.

Experiment
The first documented experimental implementation of a deliberate spacetime distortion was achieved at the Physics Department of Miskatonic University by Allison Marie Flynn, demonstrating her design for the required magnetic confinement. Flynn was able to create an uncontrolled state of superposition, resulting in the formation of at least one known instantanous passage. Due to the uncontrolled nature of the experiment, the location of its second endpoint is unknown. The passage was stable for 17 hours and 23 minutes and reappeared several times after the experiment was turned off. It is speculated that this reappearance is caused by naturally occuring gravitational waves interacting with the disturbed local spacetime. In an unanticipated side effect, the Universities nuclear reference clock had to be re-synchronized with the Coordinated Universal Time by an offset of 23 minutes.

Subsequent control experiments at other laboratories across the globe were able to recreate a distortion, but could not create full passages of their own. It is speculated that the pre-existing condition of local spacetime around Arkham might have an effect on the experiment.

Implementation
While the creation of full instantaneous passages proved to be unpredictable, the complex geometric arrangement of magnetic confinement fields pioneered by Flynn formed the basis for the development of superluminal propulsion later in the 21st century.