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4. DIRECT EXPERIMENTAL TESTS OF EINSTEIN'S SECOND POSTULATE DO NOT
REFUTE SQUARE-LAW DEPENDENCE OF LIGHT SPEED UPON LIGHT SOURCE SPEED
At present time it is a matter of common knowledge (for example,
see [ [20]. Frankfurt U. I., Frenk A. M. Optics of moving bodies. Мoscow: Nauka,
1972. pp. 113 - 124., [ [26]. Goldenblat I. I., Uljanov S. V. Introduction into relativity
theory and its applications to new engineering. Moscow: Nauka, 1979. p. 17.]), that the law of independence of light speed upon light
source speed (Einstein's second postulate) is reliably prooved by experiments, which are
listed, for example, in papers:
[18].
Molchanov A. G. Experimental checking of special relativity theory postulates //
Achievements of physical sciences.-1964.-v. 83.- issue 4. pp. 753 - 755.
[19]. Frenk A. M. Some problems of experimental basics of relativity
theory// Frankfurt U. I. Special and general theory of relativity. Мoscow: Nauka,
1968. p. 250.
[20]. Frankfurt U. I., Frenk A. M. Optics of moving bodies. Мoscow:
Nauka, 1972. pp. 113 - 124.
[21]. Mandelshtam L. I. Lectures on optics, theory of
relativity and quantum mechanics. Мoscow: Nauka, 1972. p. 161.
[22]. Goldenblat I. I. Time paradoxes in relativistic
mechanics. Мoscow: Nauka, 1972. p. 66.
[23]. Satsunkevich I. S. Current experimental confirmation of the
special theory of relativity. Мinsk: Vishejshaja shkola, 1979. p. 8.
[27]. Strakhovsky G. M., Uspensky A. V. Experimental
checkout of relativity theory// Achievements of physical sciences. 1965. v. 86. p. 421 -
432.
[28]. Baranov A. G. About some experiments on testing the postulates
of special relativity theory // Einstein's collection. 1966, Moscow: Nauka, 1966.
pp. 284 - 297.
[29]. Anisovich K. V. To experimental basics of the special
relativity theory// Einstein's collection. 1973, Moscow: Nauka, 1974. pp. 360 -
395.
[30]. Frankfurt U. I. Optics of moving media and special relativity
theory// Einstein's collection. 1977. - Moscow: Nauka, 1980. - pp. 321 - 326.
[31]. Shmidt-Ott V. D. Some new measurements in connection with
confirmation of rightness of the special relativity theory// Achievements of physical
sciences. - 1968. - v. 96. issue 3. - pp. 519 - 527].
Therefore it should seem that existence in nature of
dependence of light speed in vacuum upon light source speed in the form
cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2
(4.1)
is not confirmed by experiments. But if we shall consider each of
these experiments separately, we shall find that even a single of them does not contradict
the existence in nature of square-law dependence (4.1), that they disprove only existence
in nature of a dependence, which is a consequence from Newton's mechanics and has the
form cu = co + u cos a, where a
is an angle between direction of light propagation and direction of the light source
velocity vector.
At that it is easily to prove that unability of dependence (4.1) to be
disprooved by the majority of experiments on checking the correctness of Einstein's
second postulate is a consequence of two specific peculiarities of dependence (4.1) in
comparison with dependence
cu = co + u cos a.
The first peculiarity of formula (4.1) consists in its low
sensitivity to small values of source speed (with respect to value co).
Indeed, even if a source speed is equal to such tremendous for the Earth
value as 30 000 m/s, the speed of light emitted by such source is
according to formula (4.1) only 1.5 m/s greater than the speed of light from an immovable
source. And taking into account that at present time
the root-mean-square error of measuring value co
is equal to 1.2 m/s [ [24]. Sazhin M. V. Light
speed// Space Physics. Small Encyclopedia. Мoscow: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1986. p. 622 (in
Russian)], to detect the existence of dependence (4.1) in experiments on the Earth
with comparatively small speeds of light sources is practically impossible.
The second peculiarity of formula (4.1) consists in its
non-sensitivity to a direction of source motion. Indeed, the formula (4.1) does not
comprise the angle between a direction of source motion and a direction of light
propagation. Moreover, according to formula (4.1) the light speed does not depend upon the
sign of source speed: the light speed from a moving source is always greater than the
value co,
both in case if a source is receding from a measuring instrument and in case if a source
is nearing a measuring instrument. Because function (3.13) is an even increasing function
of its argument - the speed of source motion.
Let us now show that namely these two peculiarities of dependence
(4.1) are the main cause of the fact that up to the present time dependence (4.1) is not
neither confirmed, nor disproved be experiments on direct test of Einstein's second
postulate.
De-Sitter's
analysis
As far back as in 1914 de-Sitter [[32].
De-Sitter W. Ein astronomischer Beweis fur die Konstanz der Lichtgeschwindigkeit //
Physikalisch Zeitschrift.-1913.-B.14.-S.429; S. 1267-1268.] has analysied the results of astronomcal observations of a binary
star from the Auriga asterism with nearly circle orbit (with ellipticity of 0.005)
and average speed of 110 km/s and has proved, that dependence cu = co + u cos a is disproved by these astronomical observations, and even if any
dependence of light speed upon source speed exists in nature and has a form
cu = co + k u,
(4.2)
where k is an unknown
coefficient, then it follows from astronomical observations that k
< 0,002. But if in dependence (4.1) we shall expand the square root
and confine ourselves only to two first members of decomposition, then we
shall have
cu = co + (0.5 u/co)·u
. (4.3)
This means that at small speeds of sources motion (as compared with
the constant co = 299792458 m/s) the
formula cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2
may be substituted by expression (4.2), in which
k = 0.5 u/co. (4.4)
Substituting into the formula (4.4) the average speed u = 110 km/s
for motion of a binary star from the asterism of Auriga,
we shall have k = 0.0002,
i. e. ten times less than the value, which is admitted by astronomical observations
of binary star analysed by de-Sitter.
Therefore, astronomical observations of binary stars analysed by
de-Sitter do not contradict the existence in nature of the square-law dependence of light
speed upon source speed of the form cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2.
Majorana's experiment
Majorana's experiment [[33]. Majorana
Q. Experimental demonstration of the constancy of velocity of light emitted by a moving
source // Lincei Rendues. - 1918. - v.27. - p. 402 - 406; Physical Review. - 1918. v. 11
–p. 411 - 420; Philosophical Magazine. – 1919. – v. 37. p. 145 - 150.] was one of the first attempts to test the Einstein's second
postulate rightness in a laboratory. This experiment showed the absence in nature of
dependence cu = co + u cos a using the shift of
interference fringes in Mikelson's interferometer with unequal arms if immovable source of
light is replaced by a source moving at a speed of approximately 80 m/s. But, as
Majorana himself have noticed, the result obtained in this experiment should not be
considered as completely convincing proof of absence of light speed dependence upon light
source speed. Because in this experiment he measured the speed of light, which penetrated
through a beam splitter and which was reflected from the beam splitter, and, as a
result, the light can (because of its absorption and subsequent re-emission of light
quanta by the beam splitter substance) be re-emitted at a speed equal to co
even if a certain dependence of light speed upon light
source exists in nature.
The same demur can be made with respect to argumentativeness of
some other experiments on direct test of Einstein's second postulate. Moreover, as it was
shown by Fox [[34]. Fox J. Experimental evidence for the
second postulate of special relativity // American Journal of Physics.-1962. v. 30. - p.
297 - 300; Evidence against emission theories // American Journal of Physics. - 1965. - v.
33. - p. 1 – 17; Constancy of the velocity of light // Journal of Optical Society
of America. – 1967. - v. 57. - p. 967 - 968.],
molecules of air also absorb light quanta with their subsequent re-emission, i. e. they
are light retransmitters, and under ordinary air pressure it is sufficient to
have air layer of 1 mm thickness in order to have the majority of photons moving at
constant speed of co. That is why in all experiments, in which across the light
path from a moving source there were retransmitters (mirrors or beam splitters) or in
which the light beam from a moving source propagated through some substance (for example,
through air), it is impossible in principle to detect any dependence of light speed
upon light source speed.
Consequently, in order to obtain convincing experimental confirmations
of presence or absence in nature of some dependence of light speed upon light
source speed, it is necessary, first of all, to exclude from the process of transmission
of electromagnetic oscillation from a moving source to a measuring instrument the
participation of molecules of any substance, which are immovable relatively to the
meassuring instrument. On this basis we may exclude from further consideration
(even without specific mention) all those experiments, in which this requirement is not
fufilled. Experiments, which meet this requirement, can be separated into two groups:
experiments in vacuum and experiments with gamma-rays.
4.1. Experiments in vacuum
Among experiments in vacuum we can see:
- Experiment executed by Babccock and Bergman [[35]. Babcock G. C., Bergman T. G. Determination of the constancy of the
speed of light // Journal of Optical Society of America. - 1964. - v. 54. No. 2. – p.
147 - 151.];
- Experiment execcuted by Beckman and Mandix [[36]. Beckmann P., Mandics P. Test of the constancy of the velocity of
electromagnetic radiation in high vacuum // Radio Science Journal of R.N.B.S.. - 1965. -v.
69D.- No. 4.-p.623-628.].
Experiment of Babcock and Bergman [35]
In this experiment [ see [35]. Babcock
G. C., Bergman T. G. Determination of the constancy of the speed of light // Journal of
Optical Society of America. - 1964. - v. 54. No. 2. – p. 147 - 151.] Kantor's experiment was repeated, which allegedly confirmed
the existence in nature of dependence cu = co + u cos a. But unlike Kantor's experiment in the
experiment [35] all equipment was placed in vacuum and the light path length was
increased. The speed of a light source in experiment [35] was equal to 50 m/s.
Having obtained interference fringes shift 240 times less, than the
shift resulting from dependence cu = co + u cos a, Babcock and
Bergman made a conclusion, that dependence cu = co + u cos a does not exist in
nature, and that Kantor's exxperiment was erroneous.
But the possibility of exictence in nature of the dependence (4.1)
Babcock and Bergman did not foresee. And the experiment [35] in principle does not permit
to confirm or to disprove the existence in nature of dependence (4.1). It is conditioned
by the fact, that in the experiment [35] they compared the speed of light beam emitted in
the direction of light source motion with the speed of light beam emitted in
the direction opposite to the direction of light source motion. But in accordance
with formula (4.1) the speeds of the both these beams should be equal. So, the experiment
performed by Babcock and Bergman [35] in principle can not either confirm or
disprove the existence in nature of the square-law dependence of light speed upon light
source speed according to the formula cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2.
Experiment by Beckmann and Mandics [36]
In this experiment [[36]. Beckmann P.,
Mandics P. Test of the constancy of the velocity of electromagnetic radiation in high
vacuum // Radio Science Journal of R.N.B.S.. - 1965. -v. 69D.- No. 4.-p.623-628], which was also performed in vacuum, a flat mirror fastened to a
gyroscope rotor was used as a moving source of light. In this experiment they photographed
a fringe pattern, which was formed as a result of interference of a light beam reflected
only from a moving mirror and a light beam reflected in series from the moving
mirror and from an immovable mirror (Lloyd's mirror). Arrangement of equipment used
in this experiment is shown in fig. 4.1. In order to facilitate measuring the small shift
of fringes, which could appear if the dependence cu = co + u cos a exists in nature,
they photographed on one half-frame of a photographic plate an interference pattern
formed during rotation of the gyroscope rotor in one direction and on the second
half-frame of the same photographic plate (with small overlap of the first half-frame)
they photographed an interference pattern formed during rotation of the
gyroscope rotor in the opposite direction, but at the same rate of rotation. Distance
between a moving mirror (fastened to the gyroscope rotor) and the photographic plate, on
which the fringes patterns were formed, in this experiment was equal to 4.25 m. The rate
of the gyroscope rotor rotation was increased to a value, at which linear speed of the
mirror motion was equal to 50 m/s.

Fig. 4.1. Arrangement of equipment in the
experiment performed by Beckmann and Mandics.
(1 - light source; 2 -
mirror fastened to the gyroscope rotor, 3 - immovable mirror (Lloyd's mirror) , 4 -
photographic plate)
Any fringes shift was not detected in this
experiment, that was a convincing confirmation of absence in nature of the dependence
cu = co + u cos a.
Touching dependence (4.1), this experiment also does not either
confirm or disprove it. It is conditioned by the fact that according to formula (4.1) the
speed of light from a moving source does not change its value at reversing the direction
of source motion. In order to obtain convincing confirmation of existence or
absence in nature of dependence (4.1) in this experiment it is necessary to photograh on
the first half-plate the fringes pattern formed at rotation of gyroscope rotor with
maximal possible speed, and on the seconf half-plate - at rotation of gyroscope with
angular velocity sufficiently (some hundred times) less than maximal velocity with
simultaneous increasing the distance between moving mirror and photographic plate.
It is not difficult to show that convincing experimental confirmation
of presence or absence in nature of dependence cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2
you can obtain in an interference experiment with moving mirror only under condition
L > 2 co2
l D/um2,
(4. 5)
where L is the distance between
a moving mirror and photographic plate; l
is wavelength of electromagnetic oscillations used for forming the fringes
pattern; um is maximally possible
linear speed of motion of the mirror fastened on the gyroscope rotor; D > 0.1 is relative
shift (in wavelengths) of fringes, at which this shift can be reliably measured.
For example, at um = 300
m/s, l = 0.3 micrometers and
D = 0.1 from the formula
(4.5) we shall have L > 60 km. But in
the experiment [36] this distance was equal only to 4.25 m. Consequently, the experiment
[36] also does not either confirm or disprove existence in nature of dependence cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2.
In other experiments with moving mirrors the distance, through which
the light passed in vacuum, did not exceed 100 m, and mirror speed did not exceed
300 m/s. As a result, these experiments do not meet the requirement of condition
(4.5) and do not have probative force with respect to square-law dependence cu = co (1 + u2/co2)1/2.
The main reason is small value of source speed.
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