Exploring Optical Equivalents of the Twin Paradox and Time Dilation

Recent research by Pierre Pellat-Finet explores the relationship between well-known phenomena in physics, specifically the twin paradox and time dilation, and their equivalents in polarization optics. The paper, titled "The twin paradox and time dilation have equivalents in polarization optics," presents the concept of proper irradiance for partially polarized lightwaves.

The study reveals that the proper irradiance of the incoherent addition of two partially polarized lightwaves exceeds the sum of the proper irradiances of each individual lightwave. This finding indicates that, unlike in relativity where the twin paradox presents a conceptual challenge, the analogous effect in optics does not pose a paradox.

Additionally, the research identifies an analog of time dilation in optics, which is characterized by an increase in irradiance experienced by a lightwave as it propagates through a pure dichroic device. This work could have implications for the understanding of light behavior in various optical systems and may influence future optical technologies.

The full paper can be accessed at arXiv:2408.14138.