Overview
Recently, several experiments have been performed that suggest that the speed of light can be changed. Many of these experiments have slowed the velocity of light or have stopped it completely, freezing its position in space momentarily. Of course, slowing the speed of light is not an exception of the SRT postulates.
Recently, M. Gonzalez-Herraez, K. Song, and L. Thevanaz conducted an experiment where they were able to actively control the speed of light in an optical cable. Not only were they able to slow the light velocity, they were able to increase it well beyond the SRT-based speed limit of 299,792,458 m/s. In fact, they conclude that “slow and fast light…is very promising for a future use in real applications.”
Analysis
The construction of the necessary environments required to change the behavior of light suggests that these experiments are examples of Complete Coordinate Systems. Some of the variable velocity of light experiments could be adapted to further explore the CICS model, specifically around Complete Coordinate Systems.
What Does It Mean?
The founding postulates of SRT define the speed of light as a constant. Thus, when experiments have been found that seemingly contradict this postulate, researches are pressed to explain their findings such that they remain consistent with SRT. Since the CICS model uses a revised set of postulates that allow for the passive and active control of the speed of light in a Complete Coordinate System, such explanations are unnecessary.
This suggests that such variable velocity of light experiments are better fits for the theoretical predictions of the CICS model than for SRT.
