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Question
What is your opinion on Smarandache's hypothesis that there is no speed barrier in the universe?
Asked by: John Gilbert
Answer
The hypothesis you refer to is based on the creation of
two oppositely polarized photons, sent in opposite
directions. Neither polarization is determined until it is
observed, according to the Copenhagen interpretation of
uncertainty. As soon as one photon's polarity is
measured, however, the polarity of the other is
immediately known regardless of its distance from
the other.
There is no way to control what polarity a photon will
take upon being observed, so there is no way to use this
behavior to send information to another observer. It is
more like firing a red and blue ball in opposite directions,
with random chance determining which color goes in
which direction. After travelling any distance, the
observation of a red ball by observer A does not mean
that A is instantaneously signaling observer B with
a blue ball.
The experiment with oppositely polarized photons can be
interpreted similarly. The polarization of the first
observed photon can be interpreted as nothing more than
the measurement of a characteristic that was established
back at the time both photons were created (e.g.. seeing a
red ball). The 'information' that Smarandache claims
was sent instantaneously, therefore, does not violate Einstein's
speed barrier. It was information sent from the point
of photon creation, NOT the point of photon observation.
Answered by: Paul Walorski, B.A. Physics, Part-time Physics Instructor
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