[Paper Review] Single photon Michelson-Morley experiment via de Broglie-Bohm picture: An interpretation based on the hypothesis of frame dragging

Masanori Sato|ArXiv.org|Jan 21, 2008

Relativity and Gravitational Theory10 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper reinterprets the single-photon Michelson-Morley experiment through the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave framework, proposing that the isotropy of light speed arises from frame-dragging of spacetime's electromagnetic properties (permittivity and permeability). It argues that the absence of interference fringes in the experiment is consistently explained by this hypothesis, with GPS one-way speed measurements supporting its validity as a classical explanation of null results.

ABSTRACT

The Michelson-Morley experiment is considered via a single photon interferometer and a hypothesis of the dragging of the permittivity of free space and permeability of free space. The Michelson-Morley experimental results can be interpreted using de Broglie-Bohm picture. In the global positioning system (GPS) experiment, isotropic constancy of the speed of light, c, was confirmed by direct one way measurement. That is, Michelson-Morley experiments without interference are confirmed every day; therefore the hypothesis of frame dragging is a suitable explanation of the Michelson-Morley experimental results.

Motivation & Objective

• To reinterpret the Michelson-Morley experiment using the de Broglie-Bohm picture for single photons.
• To propose that the isotropy of light speed arises from frame-dragging of the permittivity and permeability of free space.
• To reconcile null results of the Michelson-Morley experiment with a classical, non-relativistic explanation based on electromagnetic property dragging.
• To argue that GPS one-way speed measurements provide empirical support for the frame-dragging hypothesis.
• To offer an alternative interpretation of Lorentz invariance violation that avoids standard relativistic assumptions.

Proposed method

• Adopts the de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave interpretation to model single-photon trajectories in a Michelson-Morley interferometer.
• Introduces a hypothesis that ε₀ and μ₀ are dragged by local inertial frames, altering phase evolution in interferometer arms.
• Models the photon's guidance equation under modified electromagnetic background fields due to frame-dragging.
• Compares predicted interference patterns under standard relativity with those under the dragging hypothesis.
• Uses GPS one-way speed of light measurements as empirical validation of isotropic c, supporting the dragging model.
• Analyzes the experimental null result as consistent with frame-dragged ε₀ and μ₀, preventing observable fringe shifts.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can the de Broglie-Bohm picture explain the null result of the single-photon Michelson-Morley experiment without invoking Lorentz invariance?
• RQ2 Does the hypothesis of frame-dragging of ε₀ and μ₀ account for the observed isotropy of light speed in one-way measurements?
• RQ3 How does the pilot-wave trajectory of a single photon behave in a Michelson-Morley setup under electromagnetic property dragging?
• RQ4 Is the absence of fringe shifts in the Michelson-Morley experiment consistent with a classical dragging mechanism of spacetime's electromagnetic properties?
• RQ5 Can GPS-based one-way speed measurements of light be interpreted as evidence for frame-dragging of ε₀ and μ₀?

Key findings

• The Michelson-Morley experiment's null result is consistently explained by the frame-dragging hypothesis, where ε₀ and μ₀ are dragged by local inertial frames.
• The de Broglie-Bohm model predicts no observable interference shift under this dragging mechanism, matching experimental observations.
• One-way speed of light measurements via GPS confirm isotropy of c, supporting the hypothesis that electromagnetic properties are frame-dragged.
• The model provides a classical, non-relativistic explanation for the absence of Lorentz violation in the Michelson-Morley experiment.
• The hypothesis avoids the need for absolute rest frames while preserving local isotropy of light speed through dynamical adjustment of ε₀ and μ₀.
• The paper concludes that frame-dragging of electromagnetic properties offers a viable alternative to standard relativity for explaining null results.