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Journal of Modern Physics

A Non-Relativistic Explanation of the Sagnac Effect

Olivier Serret

Published Jan 1, 2019• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

More than a century ago, M. Sagnac realized an experiment with light rays, whose results according to him invalidated the theory of Relativity and validated the hypothesis of the Aether. This hypothesis of the ether was not retained by the scientific community, and relativistic explanations were given to the results of the Sagnac experiment. But these relativistic explanations remain open to criticism because they are various and because the prediction may differ depending on whether the observer’s frame of reference is at rest or in motion. The neo-Newtonian mechanics proposes a new explanation which leads to demonstrate the formula with P the light path. In order to verify this new interpretation, it is proposed to do again the Sagnac experiment with a slightly different light path, a square-shaped path. The results should be at least 30% lower than those predicted by the theory of Relativity. In which case, the relativistic explanation would be questioned.

DOI
10.4236/jmp.2019.105035

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More than a century ago, M. Sagnac realized an experiment with light rays, whose results according to him invalidated the theory of Relativity and validated the hypothesis of the Aether. This hypothesis of the ether was not retained by the scientific community, and relativistic explanations were given to the results of the Sagnac experiment. But these relativistic explanations remain open to criticism because they are various and because the prediction may differ depending on whether the observer’s frame of reference is at rest or in motion. The neo-Newtonian mechanics proposes a new explanation which leads to demonstrate the formula with P the light path. In order to verify this new interpretation, it is proposed to do again the Sagnac experiment with a slightly different light path, a square-shaped path. The results should be at least 30% lower than those predicted by the theory of Relativity. In which case, the relativistic explanation would be questioned.
Based on the local-ether wave equation for free particle, the dispersion of matter wave is examined. From the dispersion relation, the angular frequency and wavelength of matter wave are derived. These formulas look like the postulates of de Broglie in conjunction with the Lorentz mass-variation law. However, the fundamental difference is that for terrestrial particles their speeds are referred specifically to a geocentric inertial frame and hence incorporate the speed due to earth's rotation. Thus the local-ether model predicts an east-west directional anisotropy both in mass and wavelength. Meanwhile, in spite of the restriction on reference frame, the local-ether model can account for the matter-wave interference experiments of the Bragg reflection and the Sagnac effect. For electron wave, the effects of earth's rotation are negligible and the derived Bragg angle is actually in accord with the Davisson-Germer experiment, as examined within the present precision. On the other hand, the local-ether model leads to a directional anisotropy in the Bragg angle in neutron diffraction. The predicted anisotropy due to earth's rotation then provide a means to test the local-ether wave equation.
We thoroughly examine the role of absolute and relative simultaneity in the interpretation of the Sagnac effect, using an approach that allows for determining the local speed along the light path. If the local speed of light is assumed to be c over the whole closed contour, there is no agreement with the observed result. There is agreement if the local speed is c along an open section of the contour only. Thus a rigorous and coherent interpretation of the Sagnac effect favours absolute over relative simultaneity. The implications for the Lorentz transformations and synchronization by means of the Global Positioning System are considered.
Based on de Broglie’s wave hypothesis and the covariant ether, the Three Wave Hypothesis (TWH) has been proposed and developed in the last century. In 2007, the author found that the TWH may be attributed to a kinematical classical system of two perpendicular rolling circles. In 2012, the author showed that the position vector of a point in a model of two rolling circles in plane can be transformed to a complex vector under a proposed effect of partial observation. In the present project, this concept of transformation is developed to be a lab observation concept. Under this transformation of the lab observer, it is found that velocity equation of the motion of the point is transformed to an equation analogising the relativistic quantum mechanics equation (Dirac equation). Many other analogies has been found, and are listed in a comparison table. The analogy tries to explain the entanglement within the scope of the transformation. These analogies may suggest that both quantum mechanics and special relativity are emergent, both of them are unified, and of the same origin. The similarities suggest analogies and propose questions of interpretation for the standard quantum theory, without any possible causal claims.
A rotating interferometer with paths that enclose a physical area exhibits a phase shift proportional to this area and to the rotation rate of the frame. Understanding the origin of this so-called Sagnac effect has played a key role in the establishment of the theory of relativity and has pushed for the development of precision optical interferometers. The fundamental importance of the Sagnac effect motivated the realization of experiments to test its validity for waves beyond optical, but precision measurements remained a challenge. Here, we report the accurate test of the Sagnac effect for matter waves, by using a Cesium atom interferometer featuring a geometrical area of 11 cm 2 and two sensitive axes of measurements. We measure the phase shift induced by Earth’s rotation and find agreement with the theoretical prediction at an accuracy level of 25 parts per million. Beyond the importance for fundamental physics, our work opens practical applications in seismology and geodesy.