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Edit: The MO question has now been reopened, and the two answers here that addressed it have been copied across.

The question Optical methods for number theory? was put on hold. While answers are unlikely to help prove any new theorems, I wonder whether those closing it considered the possible benefit to number theorists (a) explaining their work in a non-specialist (general) context, and (b) collaborating with experimental physicists, who in my experience are often very open to interesting applications of their techniques. Do others agree? Could one or more of the people voting to close explain their reasoning and whether/how the question could be reinstated by editing?

Edit: The MO question has now been reopened, and the two answers here that addressed it have been copied across.

The question Optical methods for number theory? was put on hold. While answers are unlikely to help prove any new theorems, I wonder whether those closing it considered the possible benefit to number theorists (a) explaining their work in a non-specialist (general) context, and (b) collaborating with experimental physicists, who in my experience are often very open to interesting applications of their techniques. Do others agree? Could one or more of the people voting to close explain their reasoning and whether/how the question could be reinstated by editing?

Edit: The MO question has now been reopened.

The question Optical methods for number theory? was put on hold. While answers are unlikely to help prove any new theorems, I wonder whether those closing it considered the possible benefit to number theorists (a) explaining their work in a non-specialist (general) context, and (b) collaborating with experimental physicists, who in my experience are often very open to interesting applications of their techniques. Do others agree? Could one or more of the people voting to close explain their reasoning and whether/how the question could be reinstated by editing?

Edit: The MO question has now been reopened, and the two answers here that addressed it have been copied across.

The question Optical methods for number theory? was put on hold. While answers are unlikely to help prove any new theorems, I wonder whether those closing it considered the possible benefit to number theorists (a) explaining their work in a non-specialist (general) context, and (b) collaborating with experimental physicists, who in my experience are often very open to interesting applications of their techniques. Do others agree? Could one or more of the people voting to close explain their reasoning and whether/how the question could be reinstated by editing?

The question Optical methods for number theory? was put on hold. While answers are unlikely to help prove any new theorems, I wonder whether those closing it considered the possible benefit to number theorists (a) explaining their work in a non-specialist (general) context, and (b) collaborating with experimental physicists, who in my experience are often very open to interesting applications of their techniques. Do others agree? Could one or more of the people voting to close explain their reasoning and whether/how the question could be reinstated by editing?

Edit: The MO question has now been reopened.

The question Optical methods for number theory? was put on hold. While answers are unlikely to help prove any new theorems, I wonder whether those closing it considered the possible benefit to number theorists (a) explaining their work in a non-specialist (general) context, and (b) collaborating with experimental physicists, who in my experience are often very open to interesting applications of their techniques. Do others agree? Could one or more of the people voting to close explain their reasoning and whether/how the question could be reinstated by editing?