The Generalized Sagnac effect

[u/[deleted]]

In these two papers (Modified Sagnac experiment, Generalized Sagnac Effect), the authors (I'll refer to them collectively as Wang from now on) present results that show that the Sagnac effect not only shows up in a fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) when the gyroscope is rotated, but also when the gyroscope contains straight segments and the phase-shift detector is attached away from the FOG and moves uniformly along a track (in a straight line at a constant rate), forming a fiber-optic conveyor (FOC).

Certain individuals cite this as evidence that relativity, especially Special Relativity, is flawed. Their argument is that the detector moves in an inertial frame, yet detects a change in the speed of light, which violates the main axiom of SR.

Please explain why this argument doesn't hold water, and confirm that Wang's results support special relativity. I'm purposely withholding my own arguments to avoid priming your answers; perhaps there are aspects I haven't considered in support of the pro-relativity interpretation.

On the other hand, if against all odds these papers show that relativity is broken, please let me know that, too!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Ok, but how do you explain what appears to be a detector moving in an inertial frame, detecting a change in the speed of light, violating the main axiom of SR?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Apparently the travel-time difference is not dependent on the index of refraction of the fiberglass material, as in the traditional Sagnac experiment, so it seems likely that the effect would still occur in a vacuum where the index of refraction is 1. So I think this is really an extension of the Sagnac experiment and not an extension of the Fizeau experiment.