Polarization rotation, reference frames and Mach's principle

Details Polarization rotation, reference frames and Mach's principle Polarization rotation, reference frames and Mach's principle

2011-07-06

arxiv.org/abs/1107.1274v2

Phys. Rev. D 84, 121501(R) (2011)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

4 pages. Final version

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevD.84.121501

Polarization of light rotates in a gravitational field. The accrued phase is operationally meaningful only with respect to a local polarization basis. In stationary space-times, we construct local reference frames that allow us to isolate the Machian gravimagnetic effect from the geodetic (mass) contribution to the rotation. The Machian effect is supplemented by the geometric term that arises from the choice of standard polarizations. The phase accrued along a close trajectory is gauge-independent and is zero in the Schwarzschild space-time. The geometric term may give a dominant contribution to the phase. We calculate polarization rotation for several trajectories and find it to be more significant than is usually believed, pointing to its possible role as a future gravity probe.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Polarization rotation, reference frames and Mach's principle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Polarization rotation, reference frames and Mach's principle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Polarization rotation, reference frames and Mach's principle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-416386