Comment on "Macroscopic violation of special relativity" by Nimtz and Stahlhofen [arXiv:0708.0681v1]

TL;DR

This paper critiques claims of macroscopic superluminal effects and quantum behavior in evanescent modes, arguing they are misinterpretations of classical Maxwellian physics rather than violations of special relativity.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis clarifying that observed phenomena are classical and do not indicate any violation of special relativity or superluminal communication.

Findings

Claims of superluminal tunneling are based on misinterpretations.

Evanescent modes are explained by classical electromagnetism.

No evidence of violation of special relativity is found.

Abstract

A recent paper by G. Nimtz and A. A. Stahlhofen [arXiv:0708.0681v1] makes the following claims: (1) that the authors have observed a macroscopic violation of special relativity, (2) that they have demonstrated quantum mechanical behavior of evanescent modes on a meter-length scale, and (3) that barriers are crossed in zero time, implying superluminal (faster than light), and indeed, infinite tunneling velocity. Here I suggest that all these claims are erroneous and are based on a misinterpretation of a purely classical measurement accurately described by Maxwell's equations.