On the interpretation of Michelson-Morley experiments

TL;DR

This paper explores how a new gauge-invariant electrodynamics model with a vector-valued photon mass affects the interpretation of Michelson-Morley experiments, highlighting potential confounding factors like orientation-dependent length changes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel electrodynamics model predicting anisotropic light speed and length, impacting the interpretation of Michelson-Morley experiments.

Findings

Orientation-dependent length can cancel anisotropic light speed effects.

The model predicts anisotropy in electric fields of point charges.

Interpretation of experimental results may be more complex than previously thought.

Abstract

Recent proposals for improved optical tests of Special Relativity have renewed interest in the interpretation of such tests. In this paper we discuss the interpretation of modern realizations of the Michelson-Morley experiment in the context of a new model of electrodynamics featuring a vector-valued photon mass. This model is gauge invariant, unlike massive-photon theories based on the Proca equation, and it predicts anisotropy of both the speed of light and the electric field of a point charge. The latter leads to an orientation dependence of the length of solid bodies which must be accounted for when interpreting the results of a Michelson-Morley experiment. Using a simple model of ionic solids we show that, in principle, the effect of orientation dependent length can conspire to cancel the effect of an anisotropic speed of light in a Michelson-Morley experiment, thus, complicating the interpretation of the results.