Hojman-Rosenbaum-Ryan-Shepley torsion theory and Eötvös-Dicke-Braginsky experiments

Abstract

Considering a modified form of local gauge invariance and minimal coupling, Hajman, Rosenbaum, Ryan, and Shepley obtained a dynamic torsion theory which allows propagation of torsion in vacuo. In this theory, the torsion is determined by the gradient of a scalar field $\ensuremath{\varphi}$. For the Sun, $\ensuremath{\varphi}=0.67\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}U$ where $U$ is the Newtonian potential. In this field, test bodies with different electromagnetic energy contents behave differently. For aluminum and gold (or platinum), the gravitational accelerations would differ by $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}}^{U}$. This implication disagrees with the null experiments of precisions ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}}^{U}$ and ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\nabla}}}^{U}$ performed respectively by Roll, Krotkov, and Dicke and by Braginsky and Panov.