Could we conceive of a highly advanced and nano-scale interferometer to detect subtle phase shifts between orthogonally propagating light waves? The Michelson-Morley experiment employed an interferometer, which concluded a null result, implying no phase shift. This outcome discredited the prevailing ether theories and led Albert Einstein to propose in 1905 that the speed of light is a universal constant. Today, our technological advancements include sophisticated nano-scale devices capable of exploring abstract concepts and revealing new properties. For instance, atomic force microscopy offers resolution on the order of fractions of a nanometer, surpassing the optical diffraction limit by over 1000 times. Given these advancements, could we predict a more advanced and nano-scale interferometer than its predecessors to detect phase shifts between orthogonally propagating light waves?
By incorporating the latest nanotechnology and precision engineering, an advanced interferometer could surpass previous capabilities. Nano-scale components like waveguides, photon detectors, and advanced control systems could be utilized to enhance sensitivity and accuracy. Miniaturization would enable precise control and manipulation of light waves at the nanoscale, facilitating the detection of even the slightest phase shifts. Additionally, exploring novel materials with unique optical properties, such as metamaterials or plasmonic structures, could further augment the interferometer's performance. These materials would allow manipulation of light at subwavelength scales, opening new possibilities for detecting phase shifts with unprecedented precision. Integrating advanced data analysis techniques, like machine learning algorithms, could aid in extracting subtle phase shift signals from the interferometer's output. By training the algorithm on diverse data and utilizing sophisticated signal processing methods, the interferometer's sensitivity could be enhanced, enabling the detection of minute phase shifts amidst background noise.
Chimdessa Gashu
Because the air thickness passed back and forth in the Fizeau may be decreased to a thin air stratum, pushing both surfaces closer together, that interferometer has a significant advantage for high precision metrology over Michelson and Mach-Zahnder ones.
I think that the interferometers presently used to detect gravity waves continually give a null result for aether velocity and are much more sensitive that any other interferometers presently in use, nanoscale or not. Because there are three of them in different orientations, I think the only conclusions possible are either that there is no aether, or that it moves and rotates with the earth.
For interferometry, large usually means more sensitive, although small means more convenient. Any improvements in increasing the sensitivity of small interferometers will probably result in a corresponding improvement in the performance of large ones.
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