Abstract

In this chapter, on the base of two basic systems of Maxwell's equations for

! electromagnetic field vectors E ! and B in a uniformly rotating dielectric medium, the two corresponding systems of wave equations have been derived (to the first order in an angular velocity Ω). From their comparative analysis, it can be seen that the structure of the wave equations for electromagnetic field vectors in the first system is asymmetrical with respect to Ω, while the structure of such equations in the second one is symmetrical. On this basis, it can be concluded that if the principle of symmetry is accepted as a criterion for selection, then second system of wave equations (and, therefore, corresponding the second set of Maxwell's equations) for ! !

vectors E and B may be preferred.

Keywords: Maxwell's equations, wave equations, Sagnac effect, fiber-optic gyro, ring laser gyro
