Finite Rest Mass Research Articles

LIGO’s “GW150914 signal” reproduced under YARK theory of gravity

We provide an alternative explanation of the widely publicized “GW150914 event” in the framework of Yarman-Arik-Kholmetskii (YARK) gravitation theory beyond the hypothesis about gravitational waves (GWs). According to YARK, the coalescence of super-massive bodies in a binary system would induce a related alteration of the respective wavelengths of the laser beams used in the LIGO Michelson-Morley interferometer, and our numerical results well match the GW150914 interference pattern without involving any GWs hypothesis. In addition, the binary merger necessitates a rest mass decrease in YARK (which we calculated to be about 3.1 solar masses) that should be released via electromagnetic radiation emission. Due to a finite (though tiny) rest mass of the photon in YARK theory, there should be a time lag between the arrival of gravitation perturbation and electromagnetic signal to Earth, which substantially depends on the particular value of the photon rest mass, and lies in the range between few years and few hundred years. Thus, at the moment, YARK is the only alternative to GTR, which provides its own interpretation of the LIGO signals without involving the hypothesis about GWs.

Plasmon excitations with a semi-integer angular momentum

We provide an explicit model for a spin-1/2 quasi-particle, based on the superposition of plasmon excitations in a quantum plasmas with intrinsic orbital angular momentum. Such quasi-particle solutions can show remarkable similarities with single electrons moving in vacuum: they have spin-1/2, a finite rest mass, and a quantum dispersion. We also show that these quasi-particle solutions satisfy a criterium of energy minimum.

The special relativity principle and superluminal velocities

In view of numerous experimental results reported in the past decades on the observation of faster-than-light electromagnetic signals, we analyze the structure of relativistic kinematics, where such superluminal signals are allowed. As the first step, we suggest replacing the Einstein postulates with the general relativity principle (the possibility of describing any phenomenon in any frame of reference achievable in nature) applied to an inertial motion in an empty space. Then, as in common relativistic kinematics, we also arrive at the Lorentz transformations between inertial reference frames, where a superluminal motion of massless entities is not prohibited (in particular, for perturbations of bound electromagnetic field). However, for any objects with a finite rest mass, the limited velocity remains always less than the light velocity c, and in such a way we avoid the tachyonic-type theories in their common meaning. We show that the application of superluminal electromagnetic signals to synchronization of distant clocks yields the common expressions for the relativity of the simultaneity of events for different inertial observers. This result confirms the validity of the Lorentz transformations in generalized relativistic kinematics, though along with superluminal signals. Hence we arrive at the invariance of the space-time interval, as in common relativistic kinematics, where, however, the superluminal motion of massless entities is allowed. Even so, no further changes emerge in relativistic dynamics and other common relativistic implications. Finally, we consider causal paradoxes related to the propagation and exchange of superluminal signals between inertial observers and provide their resolution

Constraining the 0ν2β matrix elements by nuclear structure observables

The discovery that neutrinos have finite rest mass has led to renewed interest in neutrinoless double beta decay. The development of large-scale experiments to search for neutrinoless double beta decay has increased the probability of a credible observation of the process in the near future. The reliability of calculations of the associated nuclear matrix elements is likely soon to become a critical issue. In this paper experimental techniques that access properties of the ground-state wave functions of double-beta-decay candidates, the occupancies of valence single-particle orbitals and pairing correlations, are summarized and the experimental data for candidate nuclei are reviewed. The results are discussed in relation to questions concerning which aspects of nuclear structure may play an important role in determining the nuclear matrix elements for neutrinoless double beta decay.

De Broglie Waves as the “Bridge of Becoming” Between Quantum Theory and Relativity

It is hypothesized that de Broglie's 'matter waves' provide a dynamical basis for Minkowski spacetime in an antisubstantivalist or relational account. The relativity of simultaneity is seen as an effect of the de Broglie oscillation together with a basic relativity postulate, while the dispersion relation from finite rest mass gives rise to the differentiation of spatial and temporal axes. Thus spacetime is seen as not fundamental, but rather as emergent from the quantum level. A result by Solov'ev which demonstrates that time is not an applicable concept at the quantum level is adduced in support of this claim. Finally, it is noted that de Broglie waves can be seen as the "bridge of becoming" discussed by Elitzur and Dolev (2005).

Experimental tests of Coulomb's Law and the photon rest mass

Coulomb's Law is a fundamental principle describing the electric force between isolated charges, and represents the first quantitative law achieved in electromagnetism. The degree of confidence with which the law is experimentally known to hold was investigated after the law was put forth by Coulomb in 1785. The electrodynamics for massive particles suggests that a photon with a finite rest mass will cause a deviation from the inverse square law. So, modern interpretations of the possible deviation from Coulomb's inverse square law are usually associated with the non-zero photon mass. In this article, we first give a historical review of the foundation of Coulomb's inverse square law. Then, the experimental searches for validity of Coulomb's Law, particularly in its inverse square nature, are generally introduced. Based on Proca's equations, the unique simplest relativistic generalization of Maxwell's equations, the link between the deviation from Coulomb's Law and the upper limit on the photon rest mass based on the concentric-spheres apparatus established in the classical experiment of Cavendish is reviewed. Up to now, all the experiments show no evidence for a positive value, and the experimental result was customarily expressed as an upper limit on the deviation or on the photon rest mass. As a representative method with the double mission of testing of the validity of Coulomb's Law and of the photon rest mass, possible improvements for this kind of experiment are discussed.

Covariant formulation of photon acceleration

We present a covariant theory of photon acceleration in time-varying plasmas. This is a ray-tracing model for frequency upshift of waves interacting with relativistic plasma perturbations, such as ionization fronts and plasma wakefields. This theory explores the formal analogy between a photon in a plasma and a relativistic particle with a finite rest mass. The covariant ray-tracing theory is applied to the case of photon acceleration by a modulated wakefield. Threshold criteria for transition to chaos are derived.

A Continuous Model of Matter Based on AEONs

Within the domain of an model of matter it is supposed in this article that quantum mechanical probability waves are the observed relativistic effects of (auto-) confined waves. A relativistic coupling in the energy domain of the continuity equation results in the $chrOdinger wave equation, while an extended coupling including the momentum domain (observed as spin n) results in the Dirac equation. It is demonstrated in Sec. 3 that the (relativistic) Dirac equation presumably originates from the Maxwell equations. Within the scope of this model of matter, light, ~ or more generally, electromagnetic radiation, ~ is regarded to be the building material of matter, which is effectively an inversion of the idea that light consists of elementary particles (photons). This postulated concept of inversion is extended to particles with a finite rest mass. The stability conditions for self-confinements are obtained by the gravitational or electromagnetostatic forces or a combination of them, controlling the confinement.

Precision measurement of the conversion electron spectrum of83m Kr with a solenoid retarding spectrometer

This paper reports on precision measurements of conversion lines in the decay of83mKr with nuclear transition energies of 32.1 keV and 9.4 keV, respectively. The spectra were taken from a submonolayer surface of83m Kr frozen onto a cold backing, using the new Mainz solenoid retarding spectrometer. The high luminosity and resolution of this instrument enables the observation of all allowed conversion lines up to theN-shell and to fully separate the elastic component from inelastic satellites. The combined analysis of the data yields the transition energiesE y=32151.5±1.1 eV and 9405.9±0.8 eV, respectively. The experiment served also to pilot the application of this spectrometer to the question of a finite neutrino rest mass, searched for in theβ-decay spectrum of tritium and to problems in precision electron spectroscopy in general.

Formation of difference in distribution between visible and invisible matters in the expanding universe

The visible and invisible matters in the universe have rather different density distributions. The formar is obvious clustered on the scales of galaxies, clusters and superclusters, while the latter is rather more uniform. Here we discuss the possibility of this difference forming during the stage of Jeans clustering. For a two-component universe, so long as the growth and decay time-scales of gravitational perturbation satisfy a certain relation, the perturbation will grow in one component and decay in the other. Specific calculations are made for the development of inhomogeneity in a universe consisting of two collisionless gases. It is found that as long as the densities of the Jeans lengths of the two components satisfy the relations ϱ 1 ⪡ ϱ 2 λ 1 j ⪡ λ 2 j , then, whether the initial perturbation is in component 1 or component 2, the result will be component 1 having a large degree of inhomogeneity and component 2, a small one. If the invisible matter is mainly neutrino with a finite rest-mass, then the above result can be used to explain the quasi-uniform distribution of the invisible matter.

Neutrino masses and the cosmic-neutrino background

The distortion of the cosmic-neutrino background, should neutrinos have a finite rest mass, is discussed. The possibility of detecting such a background experimentally is investigated and the consequences for the interpretation of the analysis of the end point of the tritium beta-decay spectrum is raised.

The formation of galactic haloes in the neutrino-adiabatic theory

Recent evidence of a finite rest mass for the neutrino has led to a revival of the idea that these particles may provide the unseen but dynamically indicated matter on cosmological scales of galactic halo and larger size. In the early Universe, the free streaming of collisionless neutrinos is seen to damp out perturbations less than of the order of tens of Mpc long1–5. A numerical simulation of the clustering of collisionless particles in a universe with this type of perturbation spectrum6 has led to the formulation of a cell structure with large voids. Many observations7,8 support the existence of such a structure on scales of tens of Mpc. However, collapse of perturbations of this size leads to velocities of the order of 1,000 km s−1, and as the neutrinos presumably cannot cool, this seems to be too large for their inclusion in galactic haloes, which have much smaller velocity dispersions. Thus it has been suggested that neutrinos cannot cluster in galactic haloes without some means to ‘save’ smaller-scale perturbations3,4,9. Furthermore, if neutrinos of mass ∼30 eV form galactic haloes, the phase space density must be very close to the primordial one10—and phase mixing is often associated with collapse. Although the average value of the velocity dispersion may be reduced if the perturbations are anisotropic11, a disparity still remains. I now present a numerical simulation which shows that if the initial perturbations are sufficiently anisotropic, the collapse of very large perturbations of collisionless particles leads to a condensation of particles with low velocity dispersion and high phase-space density, which may easily fragment.

Massive neutrinos and galaxy formation

We investigate the cosmological implications of the finite neutrino rest mass (m/sub v/> or approx. =1 eV) indicated by recent experimental results. Neutrinos decouple while still relativistic at temperatures of approx.1 MeV. If galaxies form from adiabatic fluctuations, the Zel'dovich amplitude for density perturbations is reduced to approx.10/sup -4/, consistent with present observational limits on the microwave background. The minimum neutrino-mass perturbation M, corresponds to the particle horizon when the neutrinos become nonrelativistic, with Mproportionalm/sub v/ /sup -2/. For one dominant neutrino mass of order 90 eV, the mass and virialized velocity dispersion of these minimum perturbations are characteristic of those suggested for dark halos associated with individual galaxies (Mapprox.10/sup 13/M/sub sun/, Vapprox.500 km s/sup -1/). Such a model implies a closed or flat universe.

Radiative stability of neutrinos of finite rest mass

It is pointed out that the cores of massive stars reach temperatures of the order of 10 MeV during the gravitational collapse preceding supernova explosion so that the emission of neutrinos of mass \ensuremath{\sim}1 MeV is not suppressed substantially. Consequently we feel that the limits on radiative lifetimes derived using astrophysical arguments ($\frac{{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}}{{m}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}}g{10}^{16}$ sec/eV) are still valid.

Comment on a theorem about the effect of a finite photon rest mass

A theorem given by Goldhaber and Nieto states that the effect of a finite photon rest mass ..mu.. on observable electromagnetic fields is of the order (..mu..D)/sup 2/ where D is the dimension of the system. Though this theorem is undoubtedly correct, the derivation previously given seems to be of limited validity. We present here a different and more complete proof.

The Physics of Liquid and Solid Helium Part I

I K H Bennemann and J B Ketterson (eds) Chichester: J Wiley 1976 pp vii + 589 price £21 The helium liquids play a unique role in the development of the theories of quantum fluids. Liquid 3He and 4He are respectively the only neutral Fermi liquid and the only Bose liquid of finite rest mass available for laboratory investigation.

IV. Examples of four-dimensional soliton solutions and abnormal nuclear states

The classical soliton solution is defined to be one that (1) has finite and nonzero rest mass, and (2) is contained in a finite region in space. Starting with a relativistic boson field with nonlinear coupling, four dimensional quantum soliton solutions are discussed by considering the classical solution and then quantizing it by a general canonical procedure. Remarks are then given on the generalization of the soliton mechanism to include fermions, leading to abnormal nuclear states. (SDF)

Making the massless string massive

We investigate the possibility of associating a finite rest mass density with the relativistic string at the classical level. We choose a modification of the massless Lagrangian which reduces in the non-relativistic limit to the usual non-relativistic string. After studying some simple classical motions of this system, we quantize the massive string in a similar way to the massless case. The Regge trajectories are linear as in the massless case, but their intercepts are shifted downward from unity by an amount proportional to the square of the rest mass density parameter. Our naive quantization procedure is covariant only in 25 space-time dimensions. However, we are able to use the extra degree of freedom implicit in the mass density to modify the Lorentz generators so that covariance is maintained for any dimension less than 25. We envisage hadronic interactions to be introduced through the breaking and joining of strings, as in the massless case, and we discuss the problems associated with the construction of covariant amplitudes when D < 25.

Generalisation of Hubble's Law

RECENTLY, several new efforts to improve the upper bound on the possible rest mass (m0) of the photon have been made1–3. The theoretical basis is provided by Proca's equations1 (□ + μ2)AK = (4π/c)/JK (1) where charge is assumed conserved and μ = m0c/ħ. The bounds vary from 2 × 10−43 g to 3 × 10−56 g. As Yourgrau and Woodward4 point out, however, a finite mass is implicit in a ‘tired light’ interpretation of the cosmological redshift. When equation (1) is combined with Hubble's law5dν/dl = −Hν/c (2) it yields μ = H/2c and hence m0 < 10−63 g. Here ν is the photon frequency, l the distance traversed and H is Hubble's constant. In view of this limit a direct demonstration of the existence of a finite photon rest mass does not seem practical at present.

Dependence of Doppler Shift on Photon Rest Mass

FOLLOWING renewed interest in the possible existence of a finite photon rest mass, Goldhaber and Nieto1 have presented an excellent review of the general methods which have been adopted in an attempt to establish an upper limit for this rest mass. At present the lowest upper limit obtained experimentally is µ0≤4×10−48 g (ref. 2), involving magnetic anomalies in the geomagnetic field. Suggestions have also been made1 on methods whereby an improved upper limit to µ0 may be determined. We present here a novel method for pursuing this goal based on a departure from the conventional Doppler shift for photons.