Proposed experiment for detection of absolute motion

Friends,
Last year I had held detailed discussions in these forums, on
the feasibility of experimental detection of absolute motion.
http://groups.google.com/group/sci.a...5663e989aca999
Subsequently I compiled a formal paper titled "Proposed experiment for
detection of absolute motion" and submitted to Physics Essays (An
International Journal dedicated to fundamental questions in Physics)
for publication. After a detailed peer review, this paper has now been
published in this journal [http://www.physicsessays.com/]. The
abstract of this paper is reproduced below.

"According to special theory of relativity, all motion is relative
and existence of any privileged or absolute inertial frame of
reference, which could be practically distinguished from all other
inertial frames, is ruled out. However, we may define an absolute or
universal reference frame as the one which is at rest with respect to
the center of mass of the universe and assume the speed c of
propagation of light to be an isotropic universal constant in that
frame. Any motion with respect to such a reference frame will be
called “absolute motion.” The proposed experiment establishes the
feasibility of detection of such an absolute motion by measuring the
up-link and down-link signal propagation times between two fixed
points on the surface of earth. With current technological
advancements in pulsed lasers, detectors, precision atomic clocks, and
computers, feasibility of the proposed experiment has been confirmed.
Successful conduct of the proposed experiment will initiate a paradigm
shift in fundamental physics. ©2010 Physics Essays Publication"
Phys. Essays 23, 442 (2010)
http://physicsessays.aip.org/getabs/...ifs=Yes&ref=no

In brief, the proposed experiment involves measurement of to
and fro light propagation times between two fixed points on earth. Let
us consider two points A and B fixed on the surface of earth (at equal
gravitational potential) and aligned along east-west direction. Let
the separation distance AB be about 30 to 50 km. Position two
identical precision atomic clocks mid-way between A and B and mutually
synchronize them in close-by position. After synchronizing, shift the
two clocks to stations A and B by slow transport. Now as part of the
experiment, send a light pulse from A to B and record its time of
flight with the two clocks at A and B. Let this measured time of
flight be T_ab. Then send another light pulse from B to A and record
its time of flight with the two clocks. Let this measured time of
flight be T_ba. Repeat these to and fro time of flight measurements
for a period of 24 hours. Find the maximum difference in the to and
fro flight times, |T_ab-T_ba| over the test period.

As per SR (if the second postulate is true), this to and fro flight
time difference |T_ab-T_ba| must be of the order of zero (or a random
scatter of values within +/- 5 nanoseconds). On the other hand, if the
second postulate is not true, then the maximum difference in the to
and fro flight times, |T_ab-T_ba| is expected to be in the range of
about 200 nanoseconds.

An estimated cost of the test equipment (including Cesium atomic
clocks and pulsed lasers) is within $40,000. The proposed experiment
can be conducted by many space agencies, research centers and academic
institutions provided they get motivated for undertaking this
challenging task. The proposed method of detecting absolute motion in
space is considered very simple but unique, the like of which has not
been conducted by anyone as yet. It is unique in the following
respects.
(a)There is no attempt to measure the one-way or two-way speed of
light.
(b)There is no need to measure the distance between the two fixed
points on the surface of earth for conducting this experiment.
(c)There is no dependence on the wave properties of light for
measuring any interference effects or fringe shifts. It does not
involve any reflection of waves from moving mirrors.
(d)For detecting absolute motion in space, we only need to measure the
up-link (T_ab) and down-link (T_ba) signal propagation times between
two locations on the surface of earth. It does not require the use of
any satellite or the GPS system.
(e)The result depends on the difference between T_ab and T_ba, due to
which the hardware delays and atmospheric signal propagation delays
get canceled out and do not influence the result. Commercially
available Cesium atomic clocks provide time measurement accuracy of
the order of about one nanosecond, which is sufficient for the conduct
of the proposed experiment.

I am sure that whenever and whichever agency conducts the
proposed experiment, an absolute motion in the form of a unique
velocity vector of the solar system in the absolute space, will be
detected. I only wonder whether NASA or any other agency/institution
will come forward to conduct this experiment first.

G S Sandhu
http://book.fundamentalphysics.info/