arXiv subjects

Ephraim Fischbach

Publications and source records attributed to Ephraim Fischbach.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Evidence of Space weather in Radon Decay

The Electron, Proton and Alpha Monitor, EPAM, located at the L1 Position approximately 1-million miles from the earth in the direction of the sun, was designed to detect fluctuations in solar output through counting the numbers of various particles hitting the detector. The EPAM detector is part of an early warning system that can alert the earth to coronal mass ejection events that can damage our electronic grids and satellite equipment. EPAM gives a real-time estimate of changes in the local solar magnetic field directed towards the earth, recorded in the fluctuations of solar particles being ejected. This paper presents an analysis of fluctuations in data taken by the Geological Survey of Israel, GSI, compared to the changes in detected numbers of protons as seen by EPAM. Surprisingly, the GSI and EPAM detectors show an unexpected correlation between the variation in count rate detected by the GSI detectors and an increased numbers of protons seen at EPAM; well above statistical significance of 5-sigma, indicating a non-random connection between the data sets. The statistically significant overlap between data taken by these two detectors, subject to very different conditions, may hint at a Primakoff mechanism whereby exotic particles, e.g. galactic Dark Matter, couple through magnetic fields to both photons and even nuclei. This work builds on an earlier paper on the observations of Radon decay and their implications for particle physics.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2023

Phenomenological Implications of a Magnetic 5th Force

A 5th force coupling to baryon number $B$ has been proposed to account for the correlations between the acceleration differences $Δa_{ij}$ of the samples studied in the Eötvös experiment, and the corresponding differences in the baryon-to-mass ratios $Δ(B/μ)_{ij}$. To date the Eötvös results have not been supported by modern experiments. Here we investigate the phenomenological implications of a possible magnetic analog $\vec{\mathscr{B}}_5$ of the conventional 5th force electric field, $\vec{\mathscr{E}}_5$, arising from the Earth's rotation. We demonstrate that, in the presence of couplings proportional to $\vec{\mathscr{B}}_5$, both the magnitude and direction of a possible 5th force field could be quite different from what would otherwise be expected and warrants further investigation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

Implications of Recent KATRIN Results for Lower-Limits on Neutrino Masses

Recently announced results from the KATRIN collaboration imply an upper bound on the effective electron anti-neutrino mass $m_{ν_{e}}$, $m_{ν_{e}}< 0.8~{\rm eV}/c^{2}$. Here we explore the implications of combining the KATRIN upper bound using a previously inferred lower bound on the smallest neutrino mass state, $m_{i,{\rm min}}\gtrsim 0.4~{\rm eV}/c^{2}$ implied by the stability of white dwarfs and neutron stars in the presence of long-range many-body neutrino-exchange forces. By combining a revised lower bound estimate with the expected final upper bound from KATRIN, we find that the available parameter space for $m_{ν_{e}}$ may be closed completely within the next few years. We then extend the argument when a single light sterile neutrino flavor is present to set a lower mass limit on sterile neutrinos.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Some Recent Developments in 5th Force Searches

Recently we drew attention to the fact that most recent 5th force searches and tests of the weak equivalence principle (WEP) utilize only one or two pairs of test samples. We argue that, despite the great precision of these experiments, the lack of diversity of samples may mean they are unable to detect new composition-dependent forces, which requires the observation of a pattern in the data. Such a pattern was observed in the experiment by Eötvös, Pekár, and Fekete (EPF), the last high precision test of the WEP which used a significant number of different samples. We advocate for new experiments utilizing a sufficient number and range of samples to either confirm or refute the pattern found in the EPF experimental data.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Indications of a Fifth Force Coupling to Baryon Number in the Potter Test of the Weak Equivalence Principle

We have reanalyzed data obtained by Potter in a 1923 experiment aimed at testing whether the accelerations of test masses in the Earth's gravitational field are independent of their compositions. Although Potter concludes that the accelerations of his samples compared to a brass standard were individually consistent with a null result, we show that the pattern formed from a combined plot of all of his data suggests the presence of a fifth force coupling to baryon number.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Significance of Composition-Dependent Effects in Fifth-Force Searches

Indications of a possible composition-dependent fifth force, based on a reanalysis of the Eötvös experiment, have not been supported by a number of modern experiments. Here, we argue that searching for a composition-dependent fifth force necessarily requires data from experiments in which the acceleration differences of three or more independent pairs of test samples of varying composition are determined. We suggest that a new round of fifth-force experiments is called for, in each of which three or more different pairs of samples are compared.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

The Eötvös Paradox: The Enduring Significance of Eötvös' Most Famous Paper

Following the death of Baron Loránd von Eötvös in 1919, his collaborators Desiderius Pekár and Eugen Fekete co-authored a paper in 1922 containing the results of a series of earlier experiments testing the identity of inertial and gravitational mass, the Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP). Although the so-called "EPF" paper made no claim for any WEP violations, a subsequent 1986 reanalysis of the EPF paper revealed a pattern in their data suggesting the presence of a new ("fifth") force in nature. Although the EPF data, and the 1986 reanalysis of these data, present fairly compelling evidence for such a fifth force, many contemporary experiments have failed to detect its presence. Here we summarize the key elements of this "Eötvös paradox," and suggest some possible paths to a resolution. Along the way we also discuss the close relationship between Eötvös and Einstein, and consider how their respective contributions may have been influenced by the other's.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2017

NU-SETI: A Proposal to Detect Extra-Terrestrial Signals Carried by Neutrinos

Recent observations of changes in radioactive decay rates associated with the annual variation of the Earth-Sun distance, with solar rotation, and particularly with solar storms, suggest that radioactive decay rates may be responding to small changes in ambient neutrino/antineutrino flux. We propose to build a network of detectors (NU-SETI), based on monitoring radioactive decays, to search for pulsed signals from an extra-terrestrial source carried by neutrinos or antineutrinos.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

Analysis of beta-decay data acquired at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt: evidence of a solar influence

According to an article entitled Disproof of solar influence on the decay rates of 90Sr/90Y by Kossert and Nähle of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) [1], the PTB measurements show no evidence of variability. We show that, on the contrary, those measurements reveal strong evidence of variability, including an oscillation at 11 year-1 that is suggestive of an influence of internal solar rotation. An analysis of radon beta-decay data acquired at the Geological Survey of Israel (GSI) Laboratory for the same time interval yields strong confirmation of this oscillation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Antimatter gravity with muonium

The gravitational acceleration of antimatter, $\bar{g}$, has never been directly measured and could bear importantly on our understanding of gravity, the possible existence of a fifth force, and the nature and early history of the universe. Three avenues appear feasible for such a measurement: antihydrogen, positronium, and muonium. The muonium measurement requires a novel monoenergetic, low-velocity, horizontal muonium beam directed at an atom interferometer. The precision three-grating interferometer can be produced in silicon nitride or ultrananocrystalline diamond using state-of-the-art nanofabrication. The required precision alignment and calibration at the picometer level also appear to be feasible. With 100 nm grating pitch, a 10% measurement of $\bar{g}$ can be made using some months of surface-muon beam time, and a 1% or better measurement with a correspondingly larger exposure. This could constitute the first gravitational measurement of leptonic matter, of 2nd-generation matter and, possibly, the first measurement of the gravitational acceleration of antimatter.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

Analysis of Beta-Decay Rates for Ag108, Ba133, Eu152, Eu154, Kr85, Ra226 And Sr90, Measured at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt from 1990 to 1996

We present the results of an analysis of measurements of the beta-decay rates of Ag108, Ba133, Eu152, Eu154, Kr85, Ra226, and Sr90 acquired at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt from 1990 through 1995. Although the decay rates vary over a range of 165 to 1 and the measured detector current varies over a range of 19 to 1, the detrended and normalized current measurements exhibit a sinusoidal annual variation with amplitude in the small range 0.068% to 0.088% (mean 0.081%, standard deviation 0.0072%, an 11σ rejection of the zero-amplitude hypothesis) and phase-of-maximum in the small range 0.062 to 0.083 (January 23 to January 30). In comparing these results with those of other related experiments that yield different results, it may be significant that this experiment, at a standards laboratory, seems to be unique in using a 4π detector. These results are compatible with a solar influence, and appear not to be compatible with an experimental or environmental influence. It is possible that Ba133 measurements are subject also to a non-solar (possibly cosmic) influence.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Transfer Functions for the DAMA Experiments

We examine what can and what cannot be revealed by the available DAMA dataset by computing the relevant amplitude transfer function (the ratio of the amplitude of the detected signal to that of an input signal) and the corresponding power transfer function. We find that the transfer functions are small except in the neighborhood of 1 cycle per year.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Time-Varying Nuclear Decay Parameters and Dark Matter

Recently published data suggest a possible solar influence on some nuclear decay rates, including evidence for an annual variation attributed to the varying Earth-Sun distance. Here, we consider the possibility that the annual signal seen by the DAMA collaboration, and interpreted by them as evidence for dark matter, may in fact be due to the radioactive contaminant K-40, which is known to be present in their detector. We also consider the possibility that part of the DAMA signal may arise from relic big-bang neutrinos.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

The Case for a Solar Influence on Certain Nuclear Decay Rates

Power-spectrum analyses of the decay rates of certain nuclides reveal (at very high confidence levels) an annual oscillation and periodicities that may be attributed to solar rotation and to solar r-mode oscillations. A comparison of spectrograms (time-frequency displays) formed from decay data and from solar neutrino data reveals a common periodicity with frequency 12.5 year-1, which is indicative of the solar radiative zone. We propose that the neutrino flux is modulated by the solar magnetic field (via Resonant Spin Flavor Precession) in that region, and we estimate the force and the torque that could be exerted on a nuclide by the solar neutrino flux.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Spectral Content of 22Na/44Ti Decay Data: Implications for a Solar Influence

We report a reanalysis of data on the measured decay rate ratio $^{22}$Na/$^{44}$Ti which were originally published by Norman et al., and interpreted as supporting the conventional hypothesis that nuclear decay rates are constant and not affected by outside influences. We find upon a more detailed analysis of both the amplitude and the phase of the Norman data that they actually favor the presence of an annual variation in $^{22}$Na/$^{44}$Ti, albeit weakly. Moreover, this conclusion holds for a broad range of parameters describing the amplitude and phase of an annual sinusoidal variation in these data. The results from this and related analyses underscore the growing importance of phase considerations in understanding the possible influence of the Sun on nuclear decays. Our conclusions with respect to the phase of the Norman data are consistent with independent analyses of solar neutrino data obtained at Super-Kamiokande-I and the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Concerning the Time Dependence of the Decay Rate of 137Cs

The decay rates of 8 nuclides (85Kr, 90Sr, 108Ag, 133Ba, 137Cs, 152Eu, 154Eu, and 226Ra) were monitored by the standards group at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig, Germany, over the time frame June 1999 to November 2008. We find that the PTB measurements of the decay rate of 137Cs show no evidence of an annual oscillation, in agreement with the recent report by Bellotti et al. However, power spectrum analysis of PTB measurements of a 133Ba standard, measured in the same detector system, does show such evidence. This result is consistent with our finding that different nuclides have different sensitivities to whatever external influences are responsible for the observed periodic variations.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2012

Time-Series Analysis of Reconstructed DAMA Data

An analysis of DAMA data (as reconstructed from DAMA publications) confirms the presence of an annual oscillation, but with a lower significance level than that claimed by DAMA. The phase of their signal is 0.39 +/- 0.02, corresponding to a peak value at about May 22, which is consistent with both the DAMA estimate and the expected phase of a dark-matter signal. However, a spectrogram analysis also shows evidence for oscillations in the frequency band 11 - 13 year-1, that are similar to oscillations found in spectrograms formed from measurements of the decay rates of 36Cl and 32Si acquired at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). One component of these oscillations (at 11.44 year-1) is prominent in DAMA/NaI data, at the 0.2% significance level (99.8% confidence level). Analyses of BNL and other nuclear decay (specifically beta decay and K-capture) measurements point to a solar influence, either by neutrinos or by some currently unknown form of radiation. The phase of the annual oscillation in DAMA data is compatible with an influence of dark matter, and is unlikely to be attributable to a purely solar influence. We also find that annual oscillations in both 133Ba decay measurements and the Troitsk tritium-decay measurements are compatible with a cosmic influence but not with a purely solar influence. These considerations raise the possibility that DAMA measurements may somehow be influenced by a combination of solar neutrinos, cosmic neutrinos, and dark matter

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Concerning the Phase of the Time-Variation in the Cl-36 Decay Rate

We show that apparently conflicting results on the time-variation of the measured Cl-36 decay rates can be readily understood as arising from solar variability beyond the simple Earth-Sun distance model, and hence are not an indication of instrumental effects.

nucl-ex↗