Analogue special and general relativity by optical multilayer thin films: The Rindler space case

Abstract

In this paper, to obtain an analogy between the curved spaces and the linear optics, we expand the idea of Sánchez-Soto and co-workers [Phys. Rep. 2012, 513, 191; Phys. Rev. A 2011, 84, 023830] to the multilayer films. We investigate effects of thickness and index of refraction of the films on the Lorentzian transformations. In addition, by using the multilayer films, we suggest a very simple experimental set-up which can serve as an analogue computer for testing special relativity. Finally, we draw an analogy between the Rindler space, as an example of the curved spaces, and a suitable multilayer film. Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis.