Tests of Relativity by Complementary Rotating Michelson-Morley Experiments

Abstract

We report Relativity tests based on data from two simultaneous Michelson-Morley experiments, spanning a period of more than one year. Both were actively rotated on turntables. One (in Berlin, Germany) uses optical Fabry-Perot resonators made of fused silica; the other (in Perth, Australia) uses microwave whispering-gallery sapphire resonators. Within the standard model extension, we obtain simultaneous limits on Lorentz violation for electrons (5 coefficients) and photons (8) at levels down to 10 −16 , improved by factors between 3 and 50 compared to previous work.

GPS and the One-Way Speed of Light

“…This is shown in figure 1. Under such circumstances light travels between the two clocks in a straight line in an approximately inertial frame which is the same as that used in the performance of the many light speed measurements in which c is the reported value [7][8][9][10][11]. It is particularly noteworthy that the one-way experiment by Krisher et al [15] which searched for light speed changes resulting from rotation of the Earth extended 21 km across the surface of the Earth and appears to violate the inertial requirement.…”

“…It means therefore that an actual clock measurement for the westward time of transmission is not required since clock behavior is fully represented by equation (10). Equation (10) therefore brings the full precision of the GPS clocks to everyone anywhere in the world without the need for actual clocks!…”

“…The experiment is operated within the dimensions of the original Michelson-Morley apparatus where the frame is considered to be approximately inertial and where special relativity has been universally applied [2]. This negates any objections about rotating coordinates and non-inertial frames which are never raised in the original Michelson-Morley experiment or in any of the several modern versions of the experiment [7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…These systems compare the resonant frequencies of two orthogonal resonators and check for changes caused by orbital or rotational motion. Several experiments of this type have been conducted including experiments by Hermann et al [9], Muller et al [10] and Eisele et al [11]. These experiments have progressively lowered the limit on light speed anisotropy with the most recent measurement being  is the measured change in light speed.…”

Disentangling forms of Lorentz violation with complementary clock comparison experiments

“…This fact provides a new motivation for experimenters to improve the atomic clock constraints on many SME coefficients, even those for which there are already strong bounds. (A somewhat similar technique, using complementary experiments with different materials, was used in [40] to place improved bounds on an entirely different collection of SME coefficients. )…”