Rotation of Polarization Vector, in Case of Non-Inertial Rotational Frame

TL;DR

This paper calculates how the polarization vector of light rotates for a non-inertial rotating observer, like Earth, and explores related effects such as redshift, providing theoretical predictions for experimental verification.

Contribution

It provides a detailed calculation of polarization rotation and redshift effects in non-inertial rotating frames, specifically applying to Earth, which is novel in this context.

Findings

Polarization vector rotation depends on azimuthal and polar coordinates.

Redshift occurs due to the rotating frame effects.

Quantitative estimates for Earth as a rotating frame are provided.

Abstract

In the present work, rotation of the polarization vector of an electromagnetic wave is extensively calculated for a rotating observer, who can also be considered as a non-inertial accelerated observer. The rotation of the polarization vector calculated here is only due to the effect of the non-inertial frame, considering that the light source is at a distance and it is emitting a plane polarized light. Earth has been taken as an example of rotating frame and the amount of rotation of polarization vector is calculated where it is found that the amount of rotation of polarization vector depends on the azimuthal as well as a polar co-ordinate of the rotating frame. Present work also discusses the redshift caused by any rotating frame and the value of the redshift is calculated taking earth as an example of a rotating frame. The possibilities of experimentally verifying the predictions of present work are also discussed.