The Michelson-Morley experiment in an accelerated reference frame

TL;DR

This paper investigates the Michelson-Morley experiment within an accelerated reference frame, revealing potential for detecting absolute speed through fringe shifts influenced by acceleration and velocity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of the Michelson-Morley experiment in accelerated frames, suggesting the possibility of measuring absolute speed, contrary to inertial frame results.

Findings

Fringe shifts depend on acceleration and absolute velocity.

Accelerated frames may allow detection of absolute speed.

Inertial experiments cannot detect absolute motion.

Abstract

We analyze the Michelson-Morley experiment in a reference frame moving with constant proper acceleration. Interestingly, we find an expected fringe shift which depends not only on the interferometer's rate of acceleration, but also on its speed relative to a preferred absolute reference frame. While it has been repeatedly shown that no experiment performed in an inertial reference frame can detect that frame's absolute speed, the analysis in this paper suggests that by considering experiments in accelerated reference frames it may be possible to measure absolute speed after all.