Optical multilayers as a tool for visualizing special relativity

Citation
Jj. Monzon et Ll. Sanchez-soto, Optical multilayers as a tool for visualizing special relativity, EUR J PHYS, 22(1), 2001, pp. 39-51
Citations number
55
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
ISSN journal
01430807 → ACNP
Volume
22
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
39 - 51
Database
ISI
SICI code
0143-0807(200101)22:1<39:OMAATF>2.0.ZU;2-K
Abstract
We re-elaborate on the recent basic result that the action of any multilaye r is equivalent to a proper Lorentz transformation. As a consequence, we pr opose simple optical measurements that can serve as an analogue computer fo r simulating special relativity. Special attention is paid to the question of the Wigner rotation, showing that it can be easily observed in multilaye rs.