The twin paradox and time dilation have equivalents in polarization optics

TL;DR

This paper draws an analogy between relativistic effects like the twin paradox and time dilation and their counterparts in polarization optics, introducing the concept of proper irradiance and demonstrating optical effects similar to these relativistic phenomena.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of proper irradiance in polarization optics and establishes analogies to the twin paradox and time dilation, providing new insights into optical phenomena.

Findings

Proper irradiance of incoherent light addition exceeds individual irradiances.

Propagation through dichroic devices increases irradiance, analogous to time dilation.

Optical effects analogous to relativistic phenomena are demonstrated.

Abstract

The phenomena known as the twin-paradox and time dilation, which are familiar effects in the special theory of relativity, have analogous counterparts in polarization optics. To show that, we present the concept of proper irradiance for a partially polarized lightwave. The analogous effect of the twin paradox is that the proper irradiance of the incoherent addition of two partially polarized lightwaves exceeds the sum of the proper irradiances of each individual lightwave. This effect does not pose a paradox in optics. The analog of time dilation is the increase in irradiance experienced by a lightwave as it propagates through a pure dichroic device.