Analogue Special and General Relativity by Optical Multilayer Thin Films: The Rindler Space Case

Abstract

In this paper, to obtain an analogy between the curved spaces and the linear optics, we expand the idea of Ref.[1, 2] to the multilayer films. We investigate efects of thickness and index of refraction of the films on the Lorentzian transformations. In addition, by using the multilayer films, we suggest very simple experimental set-up which can serve as an analogue computer for testing special relativity. Finally, we draw an analogy between the Rindler space, as an example of the curved spaces, and a suitable multilayer film.