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J. H. Field

Publications and source records attributed to J. H. Field.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2007

The Local Space-Time Lorentz Transformation: a New Formulation of Special Relativity Compatible with Translational Invariance

The apparent times and positions of moving clocks as predicted by both `non-local' and `local' Lorentz Transformations are considered. Only local transformations respect translational invariance. Such transformations change temporal but not spatial intervals, so breaking space-time exchange symmetry and forbidding relativity of simultaneity and length contraction. Two satellite-borne experiments to test these predictions are proposed.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2007

On the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Proof of the `Incompleteness' of Quantum Mechanics

It is shown that the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen conclusion concerning the `incompleteness' of Quantum Mechanics does not follow from the results of their proposed gedanken experiment, but is rather stated as a premise. If it were possible to perform the experiment it would, in fact, show that Quantum Mechanics is `complete' for the observables discussed. Because, however, of the non square-integrable nature of the wave function, the proposed experiment gives vanishing probabilities for measurements performed in finite intervals of configuration or momentum space. Hence no conclusion as to the `completeness', or otherwise, of Quantum Mechanics can be drawn from the experiment.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2007

Quantum electrodynamics and experiment demonstrate the non-retarded nature of electrodynamical force fields

In quantum electrodynamics, the quantitatively most successful theory in the history of science, intercharge forces obeying the inverse square law are due to the exchange of space-like virtual photons. The fundamental quantum process underlying applications as diverse as the gyromagnetic ratio of the electron and electrical machinery is then Møller scattering $ee \to ee$. Analysis of the quantum amplitude for this process shows that the corresponding intercharge force acts instantaneously. This prediction has been verified in a recent experiment.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2007

Forces between electric charges in motion: Rutherford scattering, circular Keplerian orbits, action-at-a-distance and Newton's third law in relativistic classical electrodynamics

Standard formulae of classical electromagnetism for the forces between electric charges in motion derived from retarded potentials are compared with those obtained from a recently developed relativistic classical electrodynamic theory with an instantaneous inter-charge force. Problems discussed include small angle Rutherford scattering, Jackson's recent `torque paradox' and circular Keplerian orbits. Results consistent with special relativity are obtained only with an instantaneous interaction. The impossiblity of stable circular motion with retarded fields in either classical electromagnetism or Newtonian gravitation is demonstrated.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2006

Classical Electromagnetism as a Consequence of Coulomb's Law, Special Relativity and Hamilton's Principle and its Relationship to Quantum Electrodynamics

It is demonstrated how all the mechanical equations of classical electrodynamics (CEM) may be derived from only Coulomb's inverse square force law, special relativity and Hamilton's Principle. The instantaneous nature of the Coulomb force in the centre-of-mass frame of two interacting charged objects, mediated by the exchange of space-like virtual photons, is predicted by QED. The interaction Lagrangian of QED is shown to be identical, in the appropriate limit, to the potential energy term in the Lorentz-invariant Lagrangian of CEM. A comparison is made with the Feynman-Wheeler action-at-a-distance formulation of CEM.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2005

Derivation of the Lorentz Force Law, the Magnetic Field Concept and the Faraday-Lenz Law using an Invariant Formulation of the Lorentz Transformation

It is demonstrated how the right hand sides of the Lorentz Transformation equations may be written, in a Lorentz invariant manner, as 4--vector scalar products. This implies the existence of invariant length intervals analogous to invariant proper time intervals. This formalism, making essential use of the 4-vector electromagnetic potential concept, provides a short derivation of the Lorentz force law of classical electrodynamics, the conventional definition of the magnetic field, in terms of spatial derivatives of the 4--vector potential and the Faraday-Lenz Law. An important distinction between the physical meanings of the space-time and energy-momentum 4--vectors is pointed out.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2005

Quantum Mechanics in Space--Time: the Feynman Path Amplitude Description of Physical Optics, de Broglie Matter Waves and Quark and Neutrino Flavour Oscillations

Feynman's laws of quantum dynamics are concisely stated, discussed in comparison with other formulations of quantum mechanics and applied to selected problems in the physical optics of photons and massive particles as well as flavour oscillations. The classical wave theory of light is derived from these laws for the case in which temporal variation of path amplitudes may be neglected, whereas specific experiments, sensitive to the temporal properties of path amplitudes, are suggested. The reflection coefficient of light from the surface of a transparent medium is found to be markedly different to that predicted by the classical Fresnel formula. Except for neutrino oscillations, good agreement is otherwise found with previous calculations of spatially dependent quantum interference effects.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2004

A New Kinematical Derivation of the Lorentz Transformation and the Particle Description of Light

The Lorentz Transformation is derived from only three simple postulates: (i) a weak kinematical form of the Special Relativity Principle that requires the equivalence of reciprocal space-time measurements by two different inertial observers; (ii) Uniqueness, that is the condition that the Lorentz Transformation should be a single valued function of its arguments; (iii) Spatial Isotropy. It is also shown that to derive the Lorentz Transformation for space-time points lying along a common axis, parallel to the relative velocity direction, of two inertial frames, postulates (i) and (ii) are sufficient. The kinematics of the Lorentz Transformation is then developed to demonstrate that, for consistency with Classical Electrodynamics, light must consist of massless (or almost massless) particles: photons.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2004

The Experimental Status of the Standard Electroweak Model at the End of the LEP-SLC Era

A method is proposed to calculate the confidence level for agreement of data with the Standard Model (SM) by combining information from direct and indirect Higgs Boson searches. Good agreement with the SM is found for $m_H \simeq 120$ GeV using the observables most sensitive to $m_H$: $A_l$ and $m_W$. In particular, quantum corrections, as predicted by the SM, are observed with a statistical significance of forty-four standard deviations. However, apparent deviations from the SM of 3.7$σ$ and 2.8$σ$ are found for the Z$ν\barν$ and right-handed Zb$\bar{\rm b}$ couplings respectively. The maximum confidence level for agreement with the SM of the entire data set considered is $\simeq 0.006$ for $m_H \simeq 180$ GeV. The reason why confidence levels about an order of magnitude higher than this have been claimed for global fits to similar data sets is explained.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2004

On the Relationship of Quantum Mechanics to Classical Electromagnetism and Classical Relativistic Mechanics

Some connections between quantum mechanics and classical physics are explored. The Planck-Einstein and De Broglie relations, the wavefunction and its probabilistic interpretation, the Canonical Commutation Relations and the Maxwell--Lorentz Equation may be understood in a simple way by comparing classical electromagnetism and the photonic description of light provided by classical relativistic kinematics. The method used may be described as `inverse correspondence' since quantum phenomena become apparent on considering the low photon number density limit of classical electromagnetism. Generalisation to massive particles leads to the Klein--Gordon and Schrödinger Equations. The difference between the quantum wavefunction of the photon and a classical electromagnetic wave is discussed in some detail.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2004

Remarks on: `Theory of Neutrino Oscillations' (hep-ph/0311241) by C.Giunti, the comments by L.B.Okun et al in hep-ph/0312151, and Giunti's reply in hep-ph/0312180

As pointed out previously, some of the hypotheses used in the standard discussion of the quantum mechanics neutrino oscillations, recently summarised in the paper `Theory of Neutrino Oscillations' by C.Giunti, lack any physical foundation and lead to neglect of both a factor of two correction in the contribution of neutrino propagation to the oscillation phase and an important contribution to the latter from the propagator of the source particle.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Derivation of the Lorentz Force Law and the Magnetic Field Concept using an Invariant Formulation of the Lorentz Transformation

It is demonstrated how the right hand sides of the Lorentz Transformation equations may be written, in a Lorentz invariant manner, as 4--vector scalar products. The formalism is shown to provide a short derivation, in which the 4--vector electromagnetic potential plays a crucial role, of the Lorentz force law of classical electrodynamics, and the conventional definition of the magnetic field in terms spatial derivatives of the 4--vector potential. The time component of the relativistic generalisation of the Lorentz force law is discussed. An important physical distinction between the space-time and energy-momentum 4--vectors is also pointed out.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2003

Quantum Interference Effects in the Detection Probability of Charged Leptons Produced in Charged Current Weak Interactions

The phases of quantum interference effects in charged lepton production by neutrinos (neutrino oscillations) following pion decay at rest and in flight, muon decay and nuclear $β-$decay at rest as well as for `muon oscillations' following pion decay at rest and in flight are calculated. The same phase is found for neutrino and muon oscillations following pion decay at rest. The results found disagree with the conventionally used value: $ϕ_{12} = Δm^2 L/(2P)$. Differences to previous treatments are briefly commented on

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Spatially Dependent Quantum Interference Effects in the Detection Probability of Charged Leptons Produced in Neutrino Interactions or Weak Decay Processes

Feynman's path amplitude formulation of quantum mechanics is used to analyse the production of charged leptons from charged current weak interaction processes. For neutrino induced reactions the interference effects predicted are usually called `neutrino oscillations'. Similar effects in the detection of muons from pion decay are here termed `muon oscillations'. Processes considered include pion decay (at rest and in flight), and muon decay and nuclear $β$-decay at rest. In all cases studied, a neutrino oscillation phase different from the conventionally used one is found. A concise critical review is made of previous treatments of the quantum mechanics of neutrino and muon oscillations.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Lepton Flavour Eigenstates do not Exist if Neutrinos are Massive: `Neutrino Oscillations' Reconsidered

If neutrinos are massive, `lepton flavour eigenstates' are absent from the amplitudes of all Standard Model processes. Measurements of $Γ(π\to e ν)/Γ(π\to μν)$ and of the MNS matrix are shown to exclude the existence of such states. Incoherent production of neutrinos of different flavour modifies the usual oscillation phase derived assuming production of a lepton flavour eigenstate. The new prediction can be tested in long line-base experiments by comparison of `$ν_μ$ disappearance' of neutrinos from pion and kaon decay.

hep-ph↗