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Causality in Superluminal Pulse Propagation

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Time in Quantum Mechanics - Vol. 2

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics ((LNP,volume 789))

Abstract

The theory of electromagnetism for wave propagation in vacuum, as embodied by Maxwell’s equations, contains physical constants that can be combined to arrive at the speed of light in vacuum c. As shown by Einstein, consideration of the space–time transformation properties of Maxwell’s equations leads to the special theory of relativity. One consequence of this theory is that no information can be transmitted between two parties in a time shorter than it would take light, propagating through vacuum, to travel between the parties. That is, the speed of information transfer is less than or equal to the speed of light in vacuum c and information related to an event stays within the so-called light cone associated with the event. Hypothetical faster-than-light (superluminal) communication is very intriguing because relativistic causality would be violated. Relativistic causality is a principle by which an event is linked to a previous cause as viewed from any inertial frame of reference; superluminal communication would allow us to change the outcome of an event after it has happened.

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Acknowledgments

RWB and DJG gratefully acknowledge support from the DARPA/DSO Slow Light Program, and RWB from the NSF.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Optics and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, 14627, Rochester, NY, USA

    Robert W. Boyd

  2. Department of Physics, Duke University, 27708, Durham, NC, USA

    Daniel J. Gauthier

  3. Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, NO-2027, Kjeller, Norway

    Paul Narum

Authors
  1. Robert W. Boyd
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  2. Daniel J. Gauthier
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  3. Paul Narum
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert W. Boyd .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Depto. Quimica Fisica EHU, Universidad Pais Vasco, Apartado 644, Bilbao, 48080, Spain

    Gonzalo Muga

  2. Inst. Mathematische Physik, TU Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 3, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany

    Andreas Ruschhaupt

  3. Inst. Mathematical Sciences, Imperial College London, Prince's Gate 53, London, SW7 2PG, UK

    Adolfo del Campo

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Boyd, R.W., Gauthier, D.J., Narum, P. (2009). Causality in Superluminal Pulse Propagation. In: Muga, G., Ruschhaupt, A., del Campo, A. (eds) Time in Quantum Mechanics - Vol. 2. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 789. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03174-8_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03174-8_7

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