A Photon Density Theory Explaining Experiments on High-order Doppler Effect

Abstract

The special relativity theory predicts a relativistic or transverse Doppler effect. This effect is verified by many photon-emission experiments. However, when researchers tried to measure the Doppler effect of electromagnetic waves reflected from a transversely moving surface, they obtained a null result. This paper presents a photon density theory to explain these mixed results. The theory can explain the relativistic phenomena predicted by the special relativity theory, as well as the negative results of transverse Doppler effect from rotating mirrors. Contrary to the prediction from the special relativity, the photon density theory suggests that the Doppler effect of light is asymmetric.