arXiv subjects

D. V. Ahluwalia

Publications and source records attributed to D. V. Ahluwalia.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

Interface of Gravitational and Quantum Realms

The talk centers around the question: Can general-relativistic description of physical reality be considered complete? On the way I argue how -- unknown to many a physicists, even today -- the ``forty orders of magnitude argument'' against quantum gravity phenomenology was defeated more than a quarter of a century ago, and how we now stand at the possible verge of detecting a signal for the spacetime foam, and studying the gravitationally-modified wave particle duality using superconducting quantum interference devices.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

On the spin of gravitational bosons

We unearth spacetime structure of massive vector bosons, gravitinos, and gravitons. While the curvatures associated with these particles carry a definite spin, the underlying potentials cannot be, and should not be, interpreted as single spin objects. For instance, we predict that a spin measurement in the rest frame of a massive gravitino will yield the result 3/2 with probability one half, and 1/2 with probability one half. The simplest scenario leaves the Riemannian curvature unaltered; thus avoiding conflicts with classical tests of the theory of general relativity. However, the quantum structure acquires additional contributions to the propagators, and it gives rise to additional phases.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

At the interface of quantum and gravitational realms

In this talk I review a series of recent conceptual developments at the interface of the quantum and gravitational realms. Wherever possible, I comment on the possibility to probe the interface experimentally. It is concluded that the underlying spacetime for a quantum theory of gravity must be non-commutative, that wave-particle duality suffers significant modification at the Planck scale, and that the latter forbids probing spacetime below Planck length. Furthermore, study of quantum test particles in classical and quantum sources of gravity puts forward theoretical challenges and new experimental possibilities. It is suggested that existing technology may allow to probe gravitationally-modified wave particle duality in the laboratory.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Spacetime structure of massive gravitino

We present reasons as to why an ab initio analysis of the spacetime structure of massive gravitino is necessary. Afterwards, we construct the relevant representation space, and finally, give a new physical interpretation of massive gravitino.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

CP violation in neutrino oscillations and L/E flatness of the e-like event ratio at Super-Kamiokande

We show that if the presently observed L/E-flatness of the electron-like event ratio in the Super-Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino data is confirmed then the indicated ratio must be {\em unity}. Further, it is found that once CP is violated the exact L/E flatness implies: (a) The CP-violating phase, in the standard parameterization, is narrowed down to two possibilities pm pi/2, and (b) The mixing between the second and the third generations must be maximal. With these results at hand, we argue that a dedicated study of the L/E-flatness of the electron-like event ratio by Super-Kamiokande can serve as an initial investigatory probe of CP violation in the neutrino sector. The assumptions under which these results hold are explicitly stated.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2001

A critique on the supplementary conditions of Rarita-Schwinger framework

After a brief review of the celebrated 1941 paper of Rarita and Schwinger on the theory of particles with half-integral spins, we present an {\em ab initio} construct of the representation space relevant for the description of spin-3/2 particles. The chosen example case of spin-3/2 shows that covariance of a wave equation, and that of the imposed supplementary conditions, alone is not a sufficient criterion to guarantee the compatibility of a framework with relativity -- a lesson already arrived by Velo and Zwanziger. Here this same lesson is shown to be true at the level of the representation space without invoking any interactions. The presented detailed analysis forces us to abandon the single-spin interpretation of the Rarita and Schwinger framework, and suggests a new interpretation that fully respects the relativity theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

(1/2,1/2) Representation space: An ab initio construct

A careful ab initio construction of the finite-mass (1/2,1/2) representation space of the Lorentz group reveals it to be a spin-parity multiplet. In general, it does not lend itself to a single-spin interpretation. We find that the (1/2,1/2) representation space for massive particles naturally bifurcates into a triplet and a singlet of opposite relative intrinsic parties. The text-book separation into spin one and spin zero states occurs only for certain limited kinematical settings. We construct a wave equation for the (1/2,1/2) multiplet, and show that the particles and antiparticles in this representation space do not carry a definite spin but only a definite relative intrinsic parity. In general, both spin one and spin zero are covariantly inseparable inhabitants of massive vector fields. This last observation suggests that scalar particles, such as the Higgs, are natural inhabitants of massive (1/2,1/2) representation space.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

Primordial space-time foam as an origin of cosmological matter-antimatter asymmetry

The possibility is raised that the observed cosmological matter-antimatter asymmetry may reside in asymmetric space-time fluctuations and their interplay with the Stckelberg-Feynman interpretation of antimatter. The presented thesis also suggests that the effect of space-time fluctuations is to diminish the fine structure constant in the past. Recent studies of the QSO absorption lines provide a 4.1 standard deviation support for this prediction. Our considerations suggest that in the presence of space-time fluctuations, the principle of local gauge invariance, and the related notion of parallel transport, must undergo fundamental changes.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Ambiguity in source flux of high-energy cosmic/astrophysical neutrinos: Effects of bi-maximal mixing and quantum-gravity induced decoherence

For high energy cosmic neutrinos Athar, Jezabek, and Yasuda (AJY) have recently shown that the existing data on neutrino oscillations suggests that cosmic neutrino flux at the AGN/GRB source, F(nu_e):F(nu_mu):F(nu_tau) approx 1:2:0, oscillates to F(nu_e):F(nu_mu):F(nu_tau) approx 1:1:1. These results can be confirmed at AMANDA, Baikal, ANTARES and NESTOR, and other neutrino detectors with a good flavor resolution. Here, we re-derive the AJY result from quasi bi-maximal mixing, and show that observation of F(nu_e):F(nu_mu):F(nu_tau) approx 1:1:1 does not necessarily establish cosmic neutrino flux at the AGN/GRB source to be F(nu_e):F(nu_mu):F(nu_tau) approx 1:2:0. We also note that if the length scale for the quantum-gravity induced de-coherence for astrophysical neutrinos is of the order of a Mpc, then independent of the MNS matrix, the Liu-Hu-Ge (LHG) mechanism would lead to flux equalization for the cosmic/astrophysical neutrinos.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

Wave-Particle duality at the Planck scale: Freezing of neutrino oscillations

A gravitationally-induced modification to de Broglie wave-particle duality is presented. At Planck scale, the gravitationally-modified matter wavelength saturates to a few times the Planck length in a momentum independent manner. In certain frameworks, this circumstance freezes neutrino oscillations in the Planck realm. This effect is apart, and beyond, the gravitational red-shift. A conclusion is drawn that in a complete theory of quantum gravity the notions of ``quantum'' and ``gravity'' shall carry new meanings -- meanings, that are yet to be deciphered from theory and observations in their entirety.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

A CP-Violating Kinematic Structure

A CP violating kinematic structure is presented. The essential physical input is to question the textbook wisdom, ``Now when a particle is at rest, one cannot define its spin as either left- or right-handed, so phi_R(0) = phi_L(0),'' as found, e.g., in Lewis Ryder's Quantum Field Theory, and in many other books on the representations of the Lorentz group. It is suggested that this equality is true only up to a phase. The demand of C, P, and T covariances, separately, fixes this phase to be pm 1. If these conditions are relaxed, a natural CP-violating kinematic structure emerges. Having established a CP-violating kinematic structure, we then discuss how Planck scale physics necessarily invokes non-commutative space-time and that such changes in the structure of space-time will force upon us additional violations/deformations of the CPT structure of space-time, and a violation of the principle of equivalence via a violation of the Lorentz symmetries. The latter may carry significant consequences for understanding the data on ultra high energy cosmic rays.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

Principle of equivalence and wave-particle duality in quantum gravity

This talk presents: (a) A quantum-mechanically induced violation of the principle of equivalence, and (b) Gravitationally-induced modification to the wave particle duality. In this context I note that the agreement between the predictions of general relativity and observations of the energy loss due to gravitational waves emitted by binary pulsars is just as impressive as the agreement between prediction of quantum electrodynamics and the measured value of Lamb shift in atoms. However, general relativity has not yet yielded to a successful quantised theory. There is a widespread belief that the two thories are incompatible at some deep level. The question is: where? Here, I show that the conceptual foundations of the theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics are so rich that they suggest concrete modifications into each other in the interface region. Specifically, I consider quantum states that have no classical counterpart and show that such states must carry an inherent violation of the principle of equivalence. On the other hand, I show that when gravitational effects are incorporated into the quantum measurement process one must induce a gravitationally induced modification to the de Broglie's wave-particle duality. The reported changes into the foundations of the two theories are far from in-principle modifications. These are endowed with serious implications for the understanding of the early universe and, in certain instances, can be explored in terrestrial laboratories.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Probing Quantum Aspects of Gravity

We emphasize that a specific aspect of quantum gravity is the absence of a super-selection rule that prevents a linear superposition of different gravitational charges. As an immediate consequence, we obtain a tiny, but observable, violation of the equivalence principle, provided, inertial and gravitational masses are not assumed to be operationally identical objects. In this framework, the cosmic gravitational environment affects local experiments. A range of terrestrial experiments, from neutron interferometry to neutrino oscillations, can serve as possible probes to study the emergent quantum aspects of gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Probing Quantum Violations of the Equivalence Principle

The joint realm of quantum mechanics and the general-relativistic description of gravitation is becoming increasingly accessible to terrestrial experiments and observations. In this essay we study the emerging indications of the violation of equivalence principle (VEP). While the solar neutrino anomaly may find its natural explanation in a VEP, the statistically significant discrepancy observed in the gravitationally induced phases of neutron interferometry seems to be the first indication of a VEP. However, such a view would seem immediately challenged by the atomic interferometry results. The latter experiments see no indications of VEP, in apparent contradiction to the neutron interferometry results. Here we present arguments that support the view that these, and related torsion pendulum experiments, probe different aspects of gravity; and that current experimental techniques, when coupled to the solar-neutrino data, may be able to explore quantum mechanically induced violations of the equivalence principle. We predict quantum violation of the equivalence principle (qVEP) for next generation of atomic interferometry experiments. The prediction entails comparing free fall of two different linear superpositions of Cesium atomic states.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1999

On Quantum Nature of Black-Hole Spacetime: A Possible New Source of Intense Radiation

Atoms and the planets acquire their stability from the quantum mechanical incompatibility of the position and momentum measurements. This incompatibility is expressed by the fundamental commutator [x, p_x]=i hbar, or equivalently, via the Heisenberg's uncertainty principle Delta x Delta p_x sim hbar. A further stability-related phenomenon where the quantum realm plays a dramatic role is the collapse of certain stars into white dwarfs and neutron stars. Here, an intervention of the Pauli exclusion principle, via the fermionic degenerate pressure, stops the gravitational collapse. However, by the neutron-star stage the standard quantum realm runs dry. One is left with the problematic collapse of a black hole. This essay is devoted to a concrete argument on why the black-hole spacetime itself should exhibit a quantum nature. The proposed quantum aspect of spacetime is shown to prevent the general-relativistic dictated problematic collapse. The quantum nature of black-hole spacetime is deciphered from a recent result on the universal equal-area spacing [=lambda_P^2 4 ln(3)] for black holes. In one interpretation of the emergent picture, an astrophysical black hole can fluctuate to sqrt{pi/ln(3)} approx 1.7 times its classical size, and thus allow radiation and matter to escape to the outside observers. These fluctuations I conjecture provide a new source, perhaps beyond Hawking radiation, of intense radiation from astrophysical black holes and may be the primary source of observed radiation from those galactic cores what carry black hole(s). The presented interpretation may be used as a criterion to choose black holes from black hole candidates.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

L/E-Flatness of the Electron-Like Event Ratio in Super-Kamiokande and a Degeneracy in Neutrino Masses

We show that the L/E-flatness of the electron-like event ratio in the Super-Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino data implies the equality of the expectation values for the muon and tau neutrino masses. We establish this result by obtaining a set of three constraints on the neutrino-oscillation mixing matrix as contained in the indicated flatness. The resulting 3x3 neutrino-oscillation matrix depends only on one angle. A remarkable result that follows directly from this matrix is the consistency between the mixing angles observed by LSND and Super-Kamiokande.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1999

(j,0)+(0,j) Covariant spinors and causal propagators based on Weinberg formalism

A pragmatic approach to constructing a covariant phenomenology of the interactions of composite, high-spin hadrons is proposed. Because there are no known wave equations without significant problems, we propose to construct the phenomenology without explicit reference to a wave equation. This is done by constructing the individual pieces of a perturbation theory and then utilizing the perturbation theory as the definition of the phenomenology. The covariant spinors for a particle of spin $j$ are constructed directly from Lorentz invariance and the basic precepts of quantum mechanics following the logic put forth originally by Wigner and developed by Weinberg. Explicit expressions for the spinors are derived for j=1, 3/2 and 2. Field operators are constructed from the spinors and the free-particle propagator is derived from the vacuum expectation value of the time-order product of the field operators. A few simple examples of model interactions are given. This provides all the necessary ingredients to treat at a phenomenological level and in a covariant manner particles of arbitrary spin.

nucl-th↗

arXiv1999

Quantum Gravity - Testing Time for Theories

The extreme smallness of both the Planck length, on the one side, and the ratio of the gravitational to the electrical forces between, say, two electrons, on the other side has led to a widespread belief that the realm of quantum gravity is beyond terrestrial experiments. A series of classical and quantum arguments are put forward to dispel this view. It is concluded that whereas the smallness of the Planck length and the ratio of gravitational to electrical forces, does play its own essential role in nature, it does not make quantum gravity a science where humans cannot venture to probe her secrets. In particular attention is drawn to the latest neutron and atomic interferometry experiments, and to gravity wave interferometers. The latter, as Giovanni Amelino-Camelia argues [Nature 398, 216 (1999)], can be treated as probes of space-time fuzziness down to Planck length for certain quantum-gravity models.

gr-qc↗