Search

Measurements of the transverse Doppler effect have provided important confirmatory evidence for the validity of Einstein's theory of special relativity (SR) as it pertains to time dilation. However, these investigations fall into two distinct categories depending on whether the light source or the detector is accelerated relative to the rest frame of the observer. In their original work employing a moving light source in the laboratory, Ives and Stillwell state explicitly that they observe a wavelength shift to the red, and therefore a slowing down of the initially accelerated clock, in complete agreement with Einstein's predictions. By contrast, although both Hay et al. and Kundig also report complete agreement with SR on the basis of their ultracentrifuge experiments in which the absorber/detector is under constant high acceleration, their theoretical discussion actually contradicts this assertion. For example, Kundig states that his work demonstrates 'that the clock which experiences acceleration is retarded compared to the clock at rest,' thereby giving unequivocal support to the conclusion that it is not just a matter of perspective which of two clocks runs slower at any given time, but rather that the measurement process is perfectly objective. This experience has generally been dismissed by SR proponents, arguing that the latter theory is only to be applied for objects in uniform motion, in which case measurement is definitely subjective. It is pointed out that this conclusion overlooks the fact that a version of the Lorentz transformation exists which is consistent with both sets of measurements while still satisfying Einstein's two postulates of SR. Keywords: transverse Doppler effect, ultracentrifuge experiments, Lorentz transformation (LT), alternative Lorentz transformation (ALT), I. Introduction Before the dawn of the twentieth century there was a broad consensus among both philosophers and physicists that that the measurement of physical quantities had an absolute character. [...]

There are two factors responsible for the relativistic Doppler effect. One of these contributions is of first-order in the velocity of the light source relative to the observer and is non-relativistic in nature, but there is also a second-order (transverse Doppler) effect caused by the difference in rates of clocks at the source and in the laboratory (time dilation). It is pointed out that the traditional derivation for the relativistic Doppler effect based on the assumed Lorentz invariance of the phase of light waves is too restrictive. According to the latter argument, when two observers in relative motion send out signals to one another employing an identical light source, their respective measured Doppler shifts should always be the same (totally symmetric). However, an alternative derivation can also be given which indicates that the second-order contribution should in fact be anti-symmetric, although this analysis agrees with the conclusion that the corresponding first-order Doppler effect is symmetric. This is because there is a reciprocal relation between the ratios of the rates of the moving and rest clocks for the two observers. Quantitative calculations of the amount of the predicted anti-symmetry in transverse Doppler shifts are made for several examples on the basis of experimental data reported for the rates of atomic clocks carried onboard airplanes and rockets. Because of the Earth's rotation about its polar axis, the Doppler shifts can be measured in principle by using exclusively land-based atomic clocks located at widely different latitudes. Verification that the transverse Doppler frequency shifts are indeed antisymmetric would be a definitive confirmation that the oftcited symmetry principle of Einstein's special theory of relativity (STR) is incorrect, namely the claim that two observers in relative motion should each find that his/her clocks run faster than the other's. Finally, changes in the formulation of relativity theory that bring it into agreement with modern-day observations of variations in the rates of clocks with state of motion are discussed with reference to the methodology of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Keywords: transverse Doppler effect, time dilation, Global Positioning System, objectivity of measurement, remote simultaneity, Alternative Lorentz Transformation (ALT)., I. Introduction The relativistic Doppler effect differs from its classical counterpart in that there is not only a first-order effect depending on the speed of the source, but also one [...]

The new Doppler effect formula is derived within the framework of the recently proposed privileged system theory (PST). Comparing this formula with its SRT equivalent reveals a characteristic difference as [...]

We show that a free of assumptions approach to the Doppler effect (plane wave and 'very small' period assumptions) leads to a Doppler factor which depends on the involved frequencies. [...]

This paper demonstrates that calculation and interpretation of the relativistic Doppler effect is possible using only the Lorentz force and relativity theory. This method eliminates the need for the Lorentz [...]

It is proposed that a simple experiment utilizing a telescope mounted instrument of an original design, when it is aligned with the assumed Apex of the absolute motion of the [...]

Abstract The frequency shifts predicted by the `relativistic' Doppler effect are derived in the photon picture of light. It turns out that, in general, the results do not depend exclusively [...]

This is a response to O. J. Campbell's note (October, 1997) entitled 'Enigma of light'. In his note, Campbell raised two questions: (1) Is light wave propagation (sic) affected by [...]

We read with great interest the letter by J.O. Campbell (Apeiron 3, p. 125), who, using a set of ingenious conceptual experiments which entirely conform with the observed Doppler effects--better, [...]