CONVENTIONALITY OF SYNCHRONIZATION, GAUGE DEPENDENCE AND TEST THEORIES OF RELATIVITY

The formal and operational significance of the choice of clock synchro nization in relativity is reviewed, along with the historical debate o ver the associated choice of the one-way speed of light. Kinematic tes t theories generalising special relativity are recast in a nonstandard synchronisation. In particular, the Mansouri-Sex1 test-theory is gene ralised to avoid a conflict between its interpretation and its gauge c hoice. Corresponding adjustments to the interpretation of recent exper imental tests of relativity are presented. A test-theory for local Lor entz invariance is derived for a noninertial observer in a space of ar bitrary curvature using differential geometric techniques and the Fren et frame. The Sagnac effect in a ring laser is considered for bounding the parameters of this theory. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.