Todd Desiato (@WarpTech)'s Evanescent Wave Theory
Contents
Summary
Todd Desiato (@WarpTech on Nasaspaceflight forums) has put forth a theory that explains the EMDrive's thrust as a result of the Polzarizable Vacuum model of General Relativity.
Explanation of the Polarizable Vaccuum Model
The PV Model was developed by Harold Puthoff as an alternative explanation of gravity and electromagnetism. It is a scalar theory of gravity, which posits that spacetime has a refractive index, much like glass, and that the presence of mass causes spacetime to refract energy, resulting in gravity.
Application of Theory to the EmDrive
According to @WarpTech, the EMDrive function mimics this refraction, but only across the specific wavelengths that correspond to its internal geometry. As microwave energy builds within the frustum, the energy becomes concentrated at the larger end. Because the energy density is not evenly distributed, the refractive index has a gradient from the big end to the small end. This mimics gravity at the wavelength of microwaves. As the microwaves "fall" towards the small end, their wavelengths are attenuated and momentum is absorbed by the frustum as the group velocity goes to zero near the small end. The result is propultion in the direction of the small end of the frustum.
On 6/6/15 @WarpTech published the following papers to the NSF forum[1]:
- File:Desiato-EM Drive Mechanism-v2.pdf which proposes an explanation of the underlying mechanism.
- File:Desiato-Energy Paradox Resolution.pdf which deals with the Energy Conservation objections.
Status
There is not yet enough experimental data to validate @WarpTech's theory. Additional data, particularly from superconducting EmDrive experiements, may result in data that is relevant to validating or disproving this theory.
Predictions and Evidence
Notably, it is solely the geometry of the frustum that is relevant to this effect under @WarpTech's theory. A higher power level or higher Q would not result in higher thrust. The Q factor is only relevant as a measure of the stored amount of energy. The frustum itself does not need to resonate, and to this end, @WarpTech has proposed decoupling the resonance chamber from the attenuation chamber. He suggests a design where resonance is induced in a long cylindrical waveguide, then energy is periodically dumped into a frustum to attenuate. So far this design has not been tested. See List of Suggested Experiments
Another interesting consequence of @WarpTech's theory is that the EmDrive must be considered a Warp Drive. However, because the warp effect is limited to a portion of the EM spectrum (with frequency corresponding to the size of the frustum), the effect would not be detectable via the laser warp interferometer employed by NASA EagleWorks, as the distortion would occur at microwave wavelengths. This prediction appears to be in conflict with the report of a positive distortion by the laser interferometer at EagleWorks. However, it remains to be seen if the interferometer test can be reproduced, especially in a vacuum. Also, it is unclear if according to @WarpTech's theory the EmDrive could theoretically be used for faster than light travel.
