Open AccessThe Speed of Light Is Slowed Down as It Travels Near the Surface of an Obstacle
Author(s) -
Farhad Vedad
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
european journal of applied physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2684-4451
DOI - 10.24018/ejphysics.2021.3.4.90
Subject(s) - optics , refractive index , speed of light (cellular automaton) , wavelength , obstacle , physics , total external reflection , surface (topology) , space (punctuation) , step index profile , mathematics , geometry , computer science , graded index fiber , optical fiber , fiber optic sensor , political science , law , operating system
The speed of propagation of light that passes through a medium at a slower speed determines the refractive index with respect to the wavelength. Subsequently, the refractive index of vacuum (free space) that light travels at speed c is 1 by definition.
This study proposes that the speed of light is slowed down in an inhomogeneous space close to the surface of the obstacles, including the edges of the apertures. Furthermore, the inhomogeneous refractive index near these surfaces will increase as the distance from the object is reduced. Therefore, light propagates through apertures as it encounters a medium with a variable refractive index.