
Originally Posted by
xyzt

Originally Posted by
Kerling
Time clocks measure by comb frequencies. Minute time differences.
Also the idea of an optical cavity is that the light is trapped. So a deviation will make it go back into it's original path due to the mechanical detuning of mirrors. The Photon is never lost unless by absorption or scattering on an impurity.
Interesting point. Nevertheless, we have just found out (see discussion with kojax) that , if placed "horizontally" in a gravitational field, the light clock stops working in about 1 second (because the photons follow a downwards path when bouncing between the mirrors)! This "feature" renders them virtually useless.
Well, then let me give you a alternate possibility.
Let's say we construct this clock, and put it near the gravitational field, one, powerfull enough to change the path of the mirror.
Then we will look at this clock, in such a way that it will at best deform, and not break. Say that considering the vacuum of space, and the rather appearant black hole. These mirror needn't any additional vacuum measuring devices. As, well, they work in earthly atmosphere too, so in space they should be great.
Then,
Why on earth, wouldn't the gravitational field affect the geometry of the mirror's?
In saying so, nothing would happen, provided the change is not too large over the linear span of the circular parabolic mirrors?