Synchronization gauge field, standing waves and one-way-speed of light

TL;DR

This paper examines how synchronization conventions affect the observable properties of standing waves and argues that experimental evidence supports the Einstein synchronization, challenging the gauge freedom in special relativity.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the Einstein synchronization convention is uniquely supported by standing wave observations, reducing the gauge freedom in special relativity.

Findings

Node positions are gauge invariant and match Einstein synchronization.

Anti-node positions are gauge dependent and vary with synchronization.

Experimental detection of standing waves supports the one-way speed of light equals round-trip speed.

Abstract

The absolute nature of many fundamental predictions of the theory of special relativity, including the relativity of simultaneity, has been questioned in the literature owing to the choice of distant clock synchronization process in the theory. Here we discuss the consequences of Anderson-Vetharaniam-Stedman (AVS) conventionality synchronization gauge, which reflects the choice of synchronization convention, on the standing wave observable. We found that although the position of the node(s) is gauge invariant and remain the same as in the standard case of the stationary wave formation following the Einstein synchronization, the anti-node(s) becomes a gauge dependent (conventional) element and the resulting wave travels between two nodes, contrary to the experimental observation. The experimental detection of standing wave substantiates that the one-way velocity is equal to the round-trip velocity implying the uniqueness of the Einstein synchronization convention. The present analysis thus eliminates the (unphysical) synchronization gauge freedom of special relativity.