Gravitational Time Dilation Research Articles

Measuring the Effect of Gravitational Time Dilation in a Duplex Ground-Based Quantum Level

Measuring the Effect of Gravitational Time Dilation in a Duplex Ground-Based Quantum Level

Quantum probe of space-time curvature.

An atom interferometer measures the quantum phase due to gravitational time dilation.

The methods of thermal field theory for degenerate quantum plasmas in astrophysical compact objects

In the study of degenerate plasmas contained within compact astrophysical objects, both special relativity and general relativity play important roles. After reviewing the existing treatment in the literature, here we employ the methods of relativistic thermal quantum field theory to compute the equation of states of degenerate matter for compact astrophysical objects such as the white dwarfs and the neutron stars. In particular, we compute the equation of states that include leading order corrections due to the finite temperature, the fine-structure constant as well as the effect of gravitational time dilation. We show that the fine-structure constant correction remains well-defined even in the non-relativistic regime in contrast to the existing treatment in the literature.

Measuring the effect of gravitational time dilation in a duplex ground-based quantum level

Measuring the effect of gravitational time dilation in a duplex ground-based quantum level

Higher mass limits of neutron stars from the equation of states in curved spacetime

In order to solve the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations for neutron stars, one routinely uses the equation of states which are computed in the Minkowski spacetime. Using a first-principle approach, it is shown that the equation of states which are computed within the curved spacetime of the neutron stars include the effect of gravitational time dilation. It arises due to the radially varying interior metric over the length scale of the star and consequently it leads to a much higher mass limit. As an example, for a given set of parameters in a $\sigma-\omega$ model of nuclear matter, the maximum mass limit is shown to increase from $1.61 M_{\odot}$ to $2.24 M_{\odot}$ due to the inclusion of gravitational time dilation.

Gravitational self-regularization of quantum fields at Planck scales

Loop diagrams with near-Planck energies create a strong external gravitational field, which slows down local processes for distant observers up to their freezing. Since Planck length is the gravitational radius of the system of quanta, the events of this and smaller scale cannot occur in finite world time t and do not contribute to the S-matrix. Consequently, gravitational time dilation, leading to a strong redshift of local frequencies, provides gravitational self-regularization of the loop diagrams. The loop corrections without gravity effects, cut off at Planck energy, give upper bounds for the corrections with gravity effects and this fact leads to simple rules of gravitational regularization. The corrections with quanta of gauge fields and gravitons are small, and the perturbation theory series converge. At pre-Planck energies, one-loop graviton contributions are sufficient, since the multi-loop ones are damped by high degrees of the relation “energy/Planck energy”. Scalar field with power-law growing corrections should be effective field. Non-linearity of fields enhances gravity and get faster freezing, which suppresses the high energy terms. Nonrenormalizable models are finite, but become consistent only when their loop corrections remain small on Planck scale and this occurs in quantum gravity. Gravitationally regularized Extended Standard Model (ESM), including gravitons and Standard Model with effective scalars, is renormalizable and finite, which simplifies its further generalization.

Quantum interference in external gravitational fields beyond General Relativity

In this paper, we study the phenomenon of quantum interference in the presence of external gravitational fields described by alternative theories of gravity. We analyze both non-relativistic and relativistic effects induced by the underlying curved background on a superposed quantum system. In the non-relativistic regime, it is possible to come across a gravitational counterpart of the Bohm–Aharonov effect, which results in a phase shift proportional to the derivative of the modified Newtonian potential. On the other hand, beyond the Newtonian approximation, the relativistic nature of gravity plays a crucial rôle. Indeed, the existence of a gravitational time dilation between the two arms of the interferometer causes a loss of coherence that is in principle observable in quantum interference patterns. We work in the context of generalized quadratic theories of gravity to compare their physical predictions with the analogous outcomes in general relativity. In so doing, we show that the decoherence rate strongly depends on the gravitational model under investigation, which means that this approach turns out to be a promising test bench to probe and discriminate among all the extensions of Einstein’s theory in future experiments.

Measuring gravitational time dilation with delocalized quantum superpositions

Atomic clocks can measure the gravitational redshift predicted by general relativity with great accuracy and for height differences as little as 1 cm. All existing experiments, however, involve the comparison of two independent clocks at different locations rather than a single clock in a delocalized quantum superposition. Here we present an interferometry scheme employing group-II-type atoms, such as Sr or Yb, capable of measuring the gravitational time dilation in a coherent superposition of atomic wave packets at two different heights. In contrast to other recent proposals, there is no need for pulses that can efficiently diffract both internal states. Instead, the scheme relies on very simple atom optics for which high-diffraction efficiencies can be achieved with rather mild requirements on laser power. Furthermore, the effects of vibration noise are subtracted by employing a simultaneous Rb interferometer that acts as an inertial reference. Remarkably, the recently commissioned VLBAI facility in Hannover, a 10-meter atomic fountain that can simultaneously operate Yb and Rb atoms and enables up to 2.8 s of free evolution time, meets all the requirements for a successful experimental implementation.

Global and local gravitational redshifts in cosmology and their consequences for theory and observations

A consistent theory of gravitational redshift in cosmology (GRC) is formulated. The global GRC arises due to weakening of gravitational time dilation due to decreasing of matter density during the propagation time of photons. In the expanding world the local GRC arises due to the weakening of gravity of the sphere between observer and source, since photons emitted at a smaller radius arrive at a larger one. In static world there is no GRC at the exchange of photons at the periphery of this sphere. In any case photons from observer to source have the same GRC as photons from source to observer, which is in agreement with the cosmological principle. Consequences of the local and global GRC for cosmological models and their parameters, as well as corrections to data on distant objects and CMB, are considered. In Appendix the inconsistency of two former treatments of the gravitational frequency shift in cosmology is shown. They: a) did not take into account the global GRC; b) derived the local GRC not from the field of the sphere between the source and observer, but from the field of spheres around one of them; c) contradicted each other (the signs of shifts are opposite); d) violated cosmological principle (changing the propagation direction changes the sign of shift) and e) were based on the delusion that the Friedmann model supposedly contains the gravitational shift.

Derivation of general relativistic gravitational potential energy using principle of equivalence and gravitational time dilation

Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which has been experimentally proved to be a true theory of gravity does not need gravitational potential energy to predict the trajectory of particles in space. This is because general relativity is a purely geometric theory. Objects move along the geodesics in the curved space–time. The energy–momentum tensor that warps space–time as per Einstein’s field equations takes into account only the energy–momentum of matter and radiation. Thus, gravitational potential energy does not come into the picture in Einstein’s theory of gravity and its role is taken over by the curvature of space–time. However, a general relativistically correct expression for gravitational potential energy is required for energy conservation and some energy-based approaches in physics. Conventionally, the correct form of gravitational potential energy is derived by using the full mathematical formality of general relativity. In this paper, we derive the same general relativistic expression for gravitational potential energy simply by using the principle of equivalence and gravitational time dilation.

Derivation of gravitational time dilation from principle of equivalence and special relativity

General relativity is the exact theory of gravity which has been experimentally found to be correct with extremely high accuracy. One of the most surprising predictions of the general theory is that time runs slow in a gravitational field. Its proof formally comes from Schwarzschild metric which is a solution of Einstein field equation for a spherically symmetric mass. However, as Einstein field equation is too complex, attempts have been made earlier to derive gravitational time dilation by direct use of principle of equivalence and special theory of relativity. But, this objective has been accomplished partially till date as the resulting expression agrees with the exact expression only upto first order. In this paper, by using principle of equivalence and special relativity, we present a thought experiment which helps us to derive an expression that exactly matches with the expression for gravitational time delay.

The Theoretical Value of the Hubble Constant Ho and Unification of the Fundamental Forces of Nature

The Hubble constant Ho represents the speed of expansion of the universe and various cosmological observations and modeling methods were utilized by astronomers for a century to pin down its exact value. Determining Ho from cosmological observations is a long and tedious process requiring highly accurate datasets. To circumvent this need, a simple theoretical approach is introduced in this study which uses the concept of gravitational weakening and seismic-induced recession. As tremors occur among celestial objects, their gravitational fields would also change. This resulted in a fundamental relation of Ho and the computed rate of recession that gives a theoretical value for Ho=69.921 Km/s/Mpc. Using the newly discovered seismic-induced gravitational weakening and time dilation, it is possible that various astrophysical methods using different measurement methods would converge to this theoretical Ho value when cosmological distances and time delay measurements are corrected with the simple formulas we derived. The new model assumes that, as quakes occur in celestial objects, luminosity-induced acceleration and high-energy collision of protons and electrons may produce a massive number of neutrinos, quarks and other subatomic particles. Furthermore, the fine structure constant was found to be inversely proportional to Ho-squared and that the fine-structure constant obtained in this study gives a new physical interpretation of α. New relations for the speed of light, orbital velocity, gravitational force and the Hubble constant were further derived from the new recession constant using approximate relations for the Newtonian and electric force constant. This resulted in a modified gravitational law that is both repulsive and attractive and a theoretical explanation of the phenomenon of light-induced gravitation analogous to the electromagnetic force where photon is the force-carrier. Finally, the fundamental forces of gravitation, electromagnetism and strong nuclear force are now unified.

Gravitational time dilation, free fall, and matter waves

We demonstrate that the de Broglie wave of a particle in a gravitational field turns toward the region of lower gravitational potential, causing the particle to fall. This turning is caused by clocks running slower in the smaller potential. We use the analogy of ocean waves that are slower in shallower water and turn toward beaches. This approach implies that the motion is along a geodesic and explains the free fall qualitatively and quantitatively with only elementary algebra.

The secret of planets’ perihelion between Newton and Einstein

Abstract Three different approaches show that, contrary to a longstanding conviction older than 160 years, the advance of Mercury’s perihelion can be achieved in Newtonian gravity with a very high precision by correctly analyzing the situation without neglecting Mercury’s mass. General relativity remains more precise than Newtonian physics, but Newtonian framework is more powerful than researchers and astronomers were thinking till now, at least for the case of Mercury. The Newtonian formula of the advance of planets’ perihelion breaks down for the other planets. The predicted Newtonian result is indeed too large for Venus and Earth. Therefore, it is also shown that corrections due to gravitational and rotational time dilation, in an intermediate framework which analyzes gravity between Newton and Einstein, solve the problem. By adding such corrections, a result consistent with the one of general relativity is indeed obtained. Thus, the most important results of this paper are two: (i) It is not correct that Newtonian theory cannot predict the anomalous rate of precession of the perihelion of planets’ orbit. The real problem is instead that a pure Newtonian prediction is too large. (ii) Perihelion’s precession can be achieved with the same precision of general relativity by extending Newtonian gravity through the inclusion of gravitational and rotational time dilation effects. This second result is in agreement with a couple of recent and interesting papers of Hansen, Hartong and Obers. Differently from such papers, in the present work the importance of rotational time dilation is also highlighted. Finally, it is important to stress that a better understanding of gravitational effects in an intermediate framework between Newtonian theory and general relativity, which is one of the goals of this paper, could, in principle, be crucial for a subsequent better understanding of the famous Dark Matter and Dark Energy problems.

Equation of states in the curved spacetime of spherical degenerate stars

In the study of spherical degenerate stars such as neutron stars, general relativistic effects are incorporated by using Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations to describe their interior spacetime. However, the equation of states employed in such studies are invariably computed in flat spacetime. We show that the equation of states computed in the curved spacetime of these stars depend explicitly on the metric function. Further, we show that ignoring such metric-dependent gravitational time dilation effect leads one to grossly underestimate the mass limits of these compact stars.

Visualization of flat and curved spacetimes with simple cartography tools

Well-developed tools from cartography are adapted and used to visualize curved and flat spacetime to further understanding of relativistic effects, while interpretation of these tools is aided through their application to the familiar world map. First spacetime is cut into two-dimensional subspaces that are mapped to the Minkowski or Euclidean plane using map projections. Then, exploiting the cartographic technique of map interruptions, the two-dimensional subspaces are further cut into ‘wedges’ to minimize the distortion. The mental exercise of sewing the wedges back together aids in visualizing and interpreting the geometry of the spacetime slice. Map distortion indicators alert the reader to the inevitable effects of distortion. This wedge diagram provides a simple yet powerful tool to visualize both flat and curved spacetime geometry. It is more general than the familiar embedding diagram and avoids the pitfall of confusing the space in question with the embedding space. The wedge diagram is applied first to Minkowski spacetime with the cartographers’ azimuthal equidistant map projection and, when combined with the wedge technique, provides a simple visualization of the twin paradox. The wedge diagram is then applied to the exterior Schwarzschild spacetime to visualize the physical significance of spacetime curvature. In particular it is shown how gravitational time dilation results from intrinsic curvature of a radial-time slice of spacetime. Then this diagram is applied to the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) spacetime revealing how expansion of the Universe results from a qualitatively similar curvature of a radial-time slice, but with the roles of space and time reversed. The analogy between the two spacetimes suggests novel interpretations of the two spacetimes. We interpret the Schwarzschild spacetime as time expanding with increasing distance from the horizon. And we interpret the FRW spacetime as the Universe expanding as the influence of the big bang peters out.

About the Teaching of the Inertial Fieldas Maxwell like-type

This paper has a didactic aim. The Einstein General Theory of Relativity is very difficult for undergraduates students and also for graduates who have not followed a course of study in gravitational physics. For example, the calculation of some of its known consequences, such as the gravitational time dilation, requires familiarity with space-time metrics. In this paper, starting with the analogy between the electromagnetic field and the inertial one, we want to analyze, through the Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP), some simple effect in a fictious gravitational field by using the inertial potentials in analogy with the electromagnetic ones.

Gravitational Redshift in Quantum-Clock Interferometry

The creation of delocalized coherent superpositions of quantum systems experiencing different relativistic effects is an important milestone in future research at the interface of gravity and quantum mechanics. This could be achieved by generating a superposition of quantum clocks that follow paths with different gravitational time dilation and investigating the consequences on the interference signal when they are eventually recombined. Light-pulse atom interferometry with elements employed in optical atomic clocks is a promising candidate for that purpose, but suffers from major challenges including its insensitivity to the gravitational redshift in a uniform field. All these difficulties can be overcome with a novel scheme presented here which is based on initializing the clock when the spatially separate superposition has already been generated and performing a doubly differential measurement where the differential phase shift between the two internal states is compared for different initialization times. This can be exploited to test the universality of the gravitational redshift with delocalized coherent superpositions of quantum clocks and it is argued that its experimental implementation should be feasible with a new generation of 10-meter atomic fountains that will soon become available. Interestingly, the approach also offers significant advantages for more compact set-ups based on guided interferometry or hybrid configurations. Furthermore, in order to provide a solid foundation for the analysis of the various interferometry schemes and the effects that can be measured with them, a general formalism for a relativistic description of atom interferometry in curved spacetime is developed. It can deal with freely falling atoms, but also include the effects of external forces and guiding potentials, and can be applied to a very wide range of situations.

An Undergraduate Demonstration of Gravitational Time Dilation

According to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, a clock runs more slowly if it is close to a large gravitating object. This principle was highlighted in the movie “Interstellar,” in which the main character spends several hours on a planet orbiting a massive black hole, and returns to find that his young daughter has become an elderly woman. In the movie, one hour on the planet equates to seven years on Earth. The same effect can be measured on a much smaller scale by changing locations within Earth’s gravitational field. Using atomic clocks, we have compared the ticking of time at Colorado College (elevation 1845 m above sea level), at the United States Air Force Academy (elevation 2165 m), and near the summit of Pikes Peak (elevation 4288 m). Our results confirm that clocks do indeed tick more quickly at higher altitudes, in accordance with Einstein’s theory. This work was carried out as a collaboration of physics majors and faculty at Colorado College (CC) and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). The experimental technique is straightforward and our results can be reproduced by other students and teachers, given access to an atomic clock and reasonably large changes in elevation. Indeed, a similar endeavor has been reported by amateur clock enthusiasts.

Comment on “On the general relativistic framework of the Sagnac effect” EPJC 79:187

In a recent paper EPJC 79:187 the general relativistic framework of the Sagnac effect was investigated. We have some comments on this paper. We show that their conclusion about the apparent variation of the speed of light does not hold in stationary spacetimes. Also, We show that their definition of gravitational Coriolis potential and gravitational Coriolis time dilation are inconsistent with what is stated in standard references.