A linear relativistic model of processes with causal faster-than-light effects

Abstract

To get a synthesis of causal faster-than-light effects and signals that do not propagate faster than light by using local, covariant, linear equations of motion, we propose the following hypothesis. Free fields that propagate signals according to the Klein-Gordon, Dirac, Proca or Maxwell equations, are actually describing only smoothed-out, average properties of underlying causal transport processes of point like entities with arbitrary four-momenta, the states of which are described by a scalar, spinor or four-vector field that satisfies a local, covariant, linear transport equation. An example of such a linear, causal, covariant transport process is shown to display causal faster-than-light effects, to propagate signals not faster than light, and to contain the Klein-Gordon equation as a limiting case. An analogous transport model displays causal, four-vector, faster-than-light effects, and also distinctive four-vector, long-range and short-range effects that do not propagate faster than light.