Abstract

We calculate the gravitational deflection of massive particles moving with relativistic velocity in the solar system to second post-Newtonian order. For a particle passing close to the Sun with impact parameter b, the deflection in classical general relativity is ΦC = 2GM/v20b[1 + v20/c2 + 3π/2 MG/bc2 + 3π/8 MG/bc2 v20/c2 + 9(MG/bc2)2], where v0 is the particle speed at infinity and M is the Sun's mass. We compute afterwards the gravitational deflection of a spinless neutral particle of mass m in the same static gravitational field as above, treated now as an external field. For a scalar boson with energy E, the deflection in semiclassical general relativity (SGR) is ΦSC = 4GM/b(1 + m2/2E2). This result shows that the propagation of the spinless massive boson produces inexorably dispersive effects. It also shows that the semiclassical prediction is always greater than the geometrical one, no matter what the boson mass is. In addition, it is found that SGR predicts a deflection angle of ∼2.6 arcsec for a nonrelativistic spinless massive boson passing at the Sun's limb.

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.