Doppler effect and frequency-shift in optics

Abstract

A critical review of frequency-shift phenomena a la Doppler effect is presented. The importance of Fermi's theory of 1932 is pointed out, and it is argued that there exists a gap in our understanding of this phenomena at a fundamental level. Alternative mechanism in terms of photon number oscillations is suggested for polarization changing experiments. The physical reality of single photon is revisited, and a possible experimental scheme to test the alternative mechanism is suggested.

Submitted for publication