Optical interpretation of special relativity and quantum mechanics

Abstract

The present work shows that through a suitable change of variables relativistic dynamics can be mapped to light propagation in a non-homogeneous medium. A particle's trajectory through the modified space-time is thus formally equivalent to a light ray and can be derived from a mechanical equivalent of Fermat's principle. The similarities between light propagation and mechanics are then extended to quantum mechanics, showing that relativistic quantum mechanics can be derived from a wave equation in modified space-time. Non-relativistic results, such as de Broglie's wavelength, Schroedinger equation and uncertainty principle are shown to be direct consequences of the theory and it is argued that relativistic conclusions are also possible.