Ether, the theory of relativity and quantum physics
pp. 147-155
in: Vesselin Petkov (ed), Space, time, and spacetime, Berlin, Springer, 2010Abstract
In this paper we revisit some of the reasons given by Einstein that resulted in his change of mind about the ether from denying to defending its existence. The ether proposed by Einstein we call Einstein's new ether. We consider the potential use of Einstein's new ether in quantum mechanics. The standard model of elementary particles reveals the existence of at least one component of Einstein's new ether. In this work we explore additional properties of Einstein's new ether. In particular, we consider a recent experiment known as the Afshar experiment due to its implications for the wave particle duality paradox. The Afshar experiment is perhaps the first experiment that provides clear evidence that wave and particle aspects of the photon have some sort of physical reality beyond the limits imposed by complementarity. We propose that the physical reality of the wave aspect of the photon has its origin in Einstein's new ether. Here, we report on consequences of the Afshar experiment for Einstein's new ether.
