Measuring One-Way Speed of Light: Experiments & Ideas

[Kanesan]

Hi All,

This is my fist post here!

Recently, I came across the elusive problem of one-way speed of light which has not yet been measured in any agreeable way. So far, all the speed of light experiments have involved clock synchronization or cyclical path problem and hence provided only two-way average speed.

I have studied this as much as possible in the last two months, including most of the relevant threads here. I am well aware that there is also a convention that says we don't need to measure one-way speed of light (or even saying we can have any value we want!). But, I am only interested in measuring it as an experimental scientist and surprised that we have not done it so far. Actual data may even prove that the isotropy convention is correct within experiment limits, but that is besides the point.

I was able to find a new way to measure the one-way speed of light using two non-synchronized clocks which is quite simple but has not been attempted so far. I have worked out the mathematical and experimental details which can be carried out fairly cost effectively. I have scrutinized it for any use of cyclical or two-way paths and found none (and there is no synchronization either!).

Solving this exciting problem MAY be an important milestone for physics/science. If any of you can let me know some physicists who might be interested to carry out the experiment, that will be a great.

Thanks for any pointers.
Kanesan.

 

[Ibix]

I don't think it's possible to measure the one way speed of light without either synchronising clocks, transporting clocks, or communicating with a central point. The first two are equivalent; the third assumes the isotropy of space time, whether you use light to communicate or not.

I rather suspect that any research group with the skills to carry out such work would also be aware of this.

 

[Dale]

What you are trying to do is simply impossible. You cannot measure the one-way speed of light independently of your synchronization convention, and with a synchronization convention you only "measure" whatever your convention assumes.

Since you have already read the previous discussions here on this topic, I doubt that there is much new that we can contribute.

 

[Kanesan]

Thanks Ibix for weighing in. It is not using any of what you mention as the choices: synchronising clocks, transporting clocks, or communicating with a central point. I have found a fourth way (or is it Nth?)! Just want to discuss with some groups interested in working rather than putting out in open.

Thanks DaleSpam for your inputs too. But, we can never be sure only these three possibilities can exist forever. Though, a new approach can look silly easy after it is revealed. Since I am new to this area, I do not know who may be willing to work a project in this area. The veterans here should know more people than me! If we can find a group, we will be discussing the method another day.

 

[Dale]

we can never be sure only these three possibilities can exist forever

Maybe not, but that is not the criteria for discussion on this forum. All topics on this forum must be consistent with the professional literature, which is clear that the one way speed of light depends entirely on your assumptions.