Abstract
The strong similarities between gravitational lensing and conventional optical lensing are considered, and a graded vacuum refractive index description of the propagation of light in a gravitational field is proposed. By comparing the Fermat principle in conventional optics and the Schwarzschild metric in general relativity, we obtained the exact exterior and interior solutions of this refractive index for a static spherically symmetric gravitational field. In the weak field case, the two solutions approach a simple unified exponential function of the gravitational potential. The result is used to analyse gravitational lensing in a conventional optical way.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
