To Re-Consider the One-Way Speed of Light Using Fizeau-Type-Coupled-Slotted-Disks

Abstract

The isotropy of the speed of light - the fundamental postulate of Special Relativity (SR) constrains conceptions of time, space and the existence of a preferred cosmological reference frame. Consequently, this phenomenon has been subject to considerable experimental scrutiny. Most isotropy tests are two-way Michelson-Morley type tests which established the isotropy of the two-way speed in 1881. These approaches provide no experimental limit for the one-way (single-trip) isotropy of the speed of light which is still unresolved. Here we consider Fizeau-type experiments to test the isotropy of the one-way speed of light. Our theoretical and experimental design suggests that our approach is 2600 times more sensitive than that of previous Fizeau-type experiments and 2000 times more sensitive than Michelson-Morley type two-way tests. We present our experimental methodology as well as initial calibration results for our experimental apparatus.