arXiv subjects

M. Ibison

Publications and source records attributed to M. Ibison.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Experimental observation of proton bunch modulation in a plasma, at varying plasma densities

We give direct experimental evidence for the observation of the full transverse self-modulation of a relativistic proton bunch propagating through a dense plasma. The bunch exits the plasma with a density modulation resulting from radial wakefield effects with a period reciprocal to the plasma frequency. We show that the modulation is seeded by using an intense laser pulse co-propagating with the proton bunch which creates a relativistic ionization front within the bunch. We show by varying the plasma density over one order of magnitude that the modulation period scales with the expected dependence on the plasma density.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2018

Acceleration of electrons in the plasma wakefield of a proton bunch

High energy particle accelerators have been crucial in providing a deeper understanding of fundamental particles and the forces that govern their interactions. In order to increase the energy or reduce the size of the accelerator, new acceleration schemes need to be developed. Plasma wakefield acceleration, in which the electrons in a plasma are excited, leading to strong electric fields, is one such promising novel acceleration technique. Pioneering experiments have shown that an intense laser pulse or electron bunch traversing a plasma, drives electric fields of 10s GV/m and above. These values are well beyond those achieved in conventional RF accelerators which are limited to ~0.1 GV/m. A limitation of laser pulses and electron bunches is their low stored energy, which motivates the use of multiple stages to reach very high energies. The use of proton bunches is compelling, as they have the potential to drive wakefields and accelerate electrons to high energy in a single accelerating stage. The long proton bunches currently available can be used, as they undergo self-modulation, a particle-plasma interaction which longitudinally splits the bunch into a series of high density microbunches, which then act resonantly to create large wakefields. The AWAKE experiment at CERN uses intense bunches of protons, each of energy 400 GeV, with a total bunch energy of 19 kJ, to drive a wakefield in a 10 m long plasma. Bunches of electrons are injected into the wakefield formed by the proton microbunches. This paper presents measurements of electrons accelerated up to 2 GeV at AWAKE. This constitutes the first demonstration of proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration. The potential for this scheme to produce very high energy electron bunches in a single accelerating stage means that the results shown here are a significant step towards the development of future high energy particle accelerators.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2017

AWAKE readiness for the study of the seeded self-modulation of a 400\,GeV proton bunch

AWAKE is a proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration experiment. % We show that the experimental setup briefly described here is ready for systematic study of the seeded self-modulation of the 400\,GeV proton bunch in the 10\,m-long rubidium plasma with density adjustable from 1 to 10$\times10^{14}$\,cm$^{-3}$. % We show that the short laser pulse used for ionization of the rubidium vapor propagates all the way along the column, suggesting full ionization of the vapor. % We show that ionization occurs along the proton bunch, at the laser time and that the plasma that follows affects the proton bunch. %

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2012

Observational constraints on conformal time symmetry, missing matter and double dark energy

The current concordance model of cosmology is dominated by two mysterious ingredients: dark matter and dark energy. In this paper, we explore the possibility that, in fact, there exist two dark-energy components: the cosmological constant $\Lambda$, with equation-of-state parameter $w_\Lambda=-1$, and a `missing matter' component $X$ with $w_X=-2/3$, which we introduce here to allow the evolution of the universal scale factor as a function of conformal time to exhibit a symmetry that relates the big bang to the future conformal singularity, such as in Penrose's conformal cyclic cosmology. Using recent cosmological observations, we constrain the present-day energy density of missing matter to be $\Omega_{X,0}=-0.034 \pm 0.075$. This is consistent with the standard $\Lambda$CDM model, but constraints on the energy densities of all the components are considerably broadened by the introduction of missing matter; significant relative probability exists even for $\Omega_{X,0} \sim 0.1$, and so the presence of a missing matter component cannot be ruled out. As a result, a Bayesian model selection analysis only slightly disfavours its introduction by 1.1 log-units of evidence. Foregoing our symmetry requirement on the conformal time evolution of the universe, we extend our analysis by allowing $w_X$ to be a free parameter. For this more generic `double dark energy' model, we find $w_X = -1.01 \pm 0.16$ and $\Omega_{X,0} = -0.10 \pm 0.56$, which is again consistent with the standard $\Lambda$CDM model, although once more the posterior distributions are sufficiently broad that the existence of a second dark-energy component cannot be ruled out. The model including the second dark energy component also has an equivalent Bayesian evidence to $\Lambda$CDM, within the estimation error, and is indistinguishable according to the Jeffreys guideline.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

An Exploration of Symmetries in the Friedmann Equation

The Friedmann Equation for a conformal scale factor a(t) is observed to be invariant under a Mobius transformation. Using that freedom, a synthetic scale factor z(t) is defined that obeys a modified Friedman equation invariant under the replacement z(t) {\rightarrow} {\pm}1/ z(t). If this is taken this to be the more fundamental form then the traditional Friedmann equation can be shown to be missing a term due to a species with equation of state w = -2/3. We investigate in detail one particular cosmology in which it is possible to specify the contribution from this new species. We suggest a means of avoiding a potentially redundant copy of the development of the universe the above implies through a cosmological spacetime manifold that is a Mobius band closed in time and non-orientable in space. Though it is closed, a Dirac field in such a spacetime may still possess a global arrow of time by virtue of the twist of the Mobius band.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2010

Engineering the Zero-Point Field and Polarizable Vacuum For Interstellar Flight

A theme that has come to the fore in advanced planning for long-range space exploration is the concept of "propellantless propulsion" or "field propulsion." One version of this concept involves the projected possibility that empty space itself (the quantum vacuum, or space-time metric) might be manipulated so as to provide energy/thrust for future space vehicles. Although such a proposal has a certain science-fiction quality about it, modern theory describes the vacuum as a polarizable medium that sustains energetic quantum fluctuations. Thus the possibility that matter/vacuum interactions might be engineered for space-flight applications is not a priori ruled out, although certain constraints need to be acknowledged. The structure and implications of such a far-reaching hypothesis are considered herein.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2009

Thermalization of Starlight in the Steady-State Cosmology

We investigate the fate of starlight in the Steady-State Cosmology. We discover that it is largely unaffected by the presence of ions in intergalactic space as it gets progressively red-shifted from the visible all the way down to the plasma frequency of the intergalactic matter. At that point, after about 450 Gyr - and contrary to previously published claims - the radiation will be thermalized. Under the assumptions adopted by Gold, Bondi, Hoyle, Narlikar, Burbidge and others concerning the creation of matter in the Steady-State Cosmology, and using reasonable estimates for the baryonic mass-density and mass-fraction of 4He, the analysis predicts a universal radiation field matching the CMB, i.e. having a black-body spectrum and temperature of about 2.7 K. The Steady-state Cosmology predicts that this radiation field will appear to originate from the intergalactic plasma.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

The reaction-free trajectories of a classical point charge

It is well-known that a classical point charge in 1+1 D hyperbolic motion in space and time is reaction-free. But this is a special case of a larger set of reaction-free trajectories that in general are curved paths through space, i.e. in 2+1 D. This note catalogs the full family of reaction-free trajectories, giving a geometrical interpretation by which means the curved path possibility is easily related to the better known case of hyperbolic motion in 1+1 D. Motivated by the geometry, it is shown how the catalog of motions can be naturally extended to include the possibility of lossless reaction-free closed spatial orbits that turn out to be classical pair creation and destruction events. The extended theory can accommodate a vacuum plenum of classical current that could be regarded as a classical version of the Fermionic ZPF of QFT, reminiscent of the relationship between the Electromagnetic ZPF and the classical imitation that characterizes `Stochastic Electrodynamics'.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2008

A New Case for Direct Action

An obstacle to the development of direct action version of electromagnetism was that in the end it failed to fulfill its initial promise of avoiding the problem of infinite Coulomb self-energy in the Maxwell theory of the classical point charge. This paper suggests a small but significant modification of the traditional direct action theory which overcomes that obstacle. Self-action is retained but the associated energy is rendered finite and equal to zero in the special case of null motion.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2008

Hamiltonian Cosmology

The cosmological scale factor $a(t)$ of the flat-space Robertson-Walker geometry is examined from a Hamiltonian perspective wherein $a(t)$ is interpreted as an independent dynamical coordinate and the curvature density $\sqrt {- g(a)} R({a,\dot a,\ddot a})$ is regarded as an action density in Minkowski spacetime. The resulting Hamiltonian for $a(t)$ is just the first Friedmann equation of the traditional approach (i.e. the Robertson-Walker cosmology of General Relativity), as might be expected. The utility of this approach however stems from the fact that each of the terms matter, radiation, and vacuum, and including the kinetic / gravitational field term, are formally energy densities, and the equation as a whole becomes a formal statement of energy conservation. An advantage of this approach is that it facilitates an intuitive understanding of energy balance and exchange on the cosmological scale that is otherwise absent in the traditional presentation. Each coordinate system has its own internally consistent explanation for how energy balance is achieved. For example, in the spacetime with line element $ds^2 = dt^2 - a^2(t) d{\bf{x}}^2$, cosmological red-shift emerges as due to a post-recombination interaction between the scalar field $a(t)$ and the EM fields in which the latter loose energy as if propagating through a homogeneous lossy medium, with the energy lost to the scale factor helping drive the cosmological expansion.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

Emergent gravity from direct-action EM in a toy universe of electrons and positrons

We sketch the derivation of a Newtonian gravity-like force emerging from a direct-action variant of classical electromagnetism. The binding energy is a consequence of maximal phase correlation of the sources mediated by approximately monochromatic direct-action fields. The resulting force then has the character of a strong version of the van der Waals force, whose superior strength can be attributed to relatively coherent primary fields (compared with the totally incoherent effects of the ZPF). The model also predicts the existence of a background having some of the character of dark energy.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

On the Conformal forms of the Robertson-Walker metric

All possible transformations from the Robertson-Walker metric to those conformal to the Lorentz-Minkowski form are derived. It is demonstrated that the commonly known family of transformations and associated conformal factors are not exhaustive and that there exists another relatively less well known family of transformations with a different conformal factor in the particular case that K = -1. Simplified conformal factors are derived for the special case of maximally-symmetric spacetimes. The full set of all possible cosmologically-compatible conformal forms is presented as a comprehensive table. A product of the analysis is the determination of the set-theoretical relationships between the maximally symmetric spacetimes, the Robertson-Walker spacetimes, and functionally more general spacetimes. The analysis is preceded by a short historical review of the application of conformal metrics to Cosmology.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Are Advanced Potentials Anomalous?

Advanced electromagnetic potentials are indigenous to the classical Maxwell theory. Generally however they are deemed undesirable and are forcibly excluded, destroying the theory's inherent time-symmetry. We investigate the reason for this, pointing out that it is not necessary and in some cases is counter-productive. We then focus on the direct-action theory in which the advanced and retarded contributions are present symmetrically, with no opportunity to supplement the particular integral solution of the wave equation with an arbitrary complementary function. One then requires a plausible explanation for the observed broken symmetry that, commonly, is understood cannot be met by the Wheeler-Feynman mechanism because the necessary boundary condition cannot be satisfied in acceptable cosmologies. We take this opportunity to argue that the boundary condition is already met by all expanding cosmologies simply as a result of cosmological red-shift. A consequence is that the cosmological and thermodynamic arrows of time can be equated, the direct action version of EM is preferred, and that advanced potentials are ubiquitous.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

Cosmological test of the Yilmaz theory of gravity

We test the Yilmaz theory of gravitation by working out the corresponding Friedmann-type equations generated by assuming the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmological metrics. In the case that space is flat the theory is consistent only with either a completely empty universe or a negative energy vacuum that decays to produce a constant density of matter. In both cases the total energy remains zero at all times, and in the latter case the acceleration of the expansion is always negative. To obtain a more flexible and potentially more realistic cosmology, the equation of state relating the pressure and energy density of the matter creation process must be different from the vacuum, as for example is the case in the steady-state models of Gold, Bondi, Hoyle and others. The theory does not support the cosmological principle for curved space K =/= 0 cosmological metrics.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Static forms of the Robertson-Walker spacetimes

It is shown that only the maximally-symmetric spacetimes can be expressed in both the Robertson-Walker form and in static form - there are no other static forms of the Robertson-Walker spacetimes. All possible static forms of the metric of the maximally-symmetric spacetimes are presented as a table. The findings are generalized to apply to functionally more general spacetimes: it is shown that the maximally symmetric spacetimes are also the only spacetimes that can be written in both orthogonal-time isotropic form and in static form.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Tachyons and superluminal boosts

Some arguments in favour of the existence of tachyons and extensions of the Lorentz Group are presented. On the former, it is observed that with a slight modification to standard electromagnetic theory a single superluminal charge will bind to itself in a self-sustaining circular orbit, suggestive of a (modified) electromagnetic interpretation of the strong force. Symmetries in that theory are used in the subsequent analysis as a starting point in the search for physically-motivated extensions of the Lorentz Group. There is some discussion of the validity of imaginary coordinates in superluminal transformations of frame. The article concludes with some speculation on the implications for faster-than light travel.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

Un-renormalized Classical Electromagnetism

This paper follows in the tradition of direct-action versions of electromagnetism having the aim of avoiding a balance of infinities wherein a mechanical mass offsets an infinite electromagnetic mass so as to arrive at a finite observed value. Given that, in this respect the direct-action approached ultimately failed because its initial exclusion of self-action was found to be untenable in the relativistic domain, this paper continues the tradition considering instead a version of electromagnetism wherein mechanical action is excluded and self-action is retained. It is shown that the resulting theory is effectively interacting due to the presence of infinite forces. A vehicle for the investigation is a pair of classical point charges in a positronium-like arrangement for which the orbits are found to be self-sustaining and naturally quantized.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2001

Dirac's equation in 1+1 D from a random walk

This paper is an investigation of the class of real classical Markov processes without a birth process that will generate the Dirac equation in 1+1 dimensions. The Markov process is assumed to evolve in an extra (ordinal) time dimension. The derivation requires that occupation by the Dirac particle of a space-time lattice site is encoded in a 4 state classical probability vector. Disregarding the state occupancy, the resulting Markov process is a homogeneous and almost isotropic binary random walk in Dirac space and Dirac time (including Dirac time reversals). It then emerges that the Dirac wavefunction can be identified with a polarization induced by the walk on the Dirac space-time lattice. The model predicts that QM observation must happen in ordinal time, and that wavefunction collapse is due not to a dynamical discontinuity, but to selection of a particular ordinal time. Consequently, the model is more relativistically equitable in its treatment of space and time in that the observer is attributed no special ability to specify the Dirac time of observation.

quant-ph↗