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Mayeul Arminjon

Publications and source records attributed to Mayeul Arminjon.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2008

Dirac equation: Representation independence and tensor transformation

We define and study the probability current and the Hamiltonian operator for a fully general set of Dirac matrices in a flat spacetime with affine coordinates, by using the Bargmann-Pauli hermitizing matrix. We find that with some weak conditions on the affine coordinates, the current, as well as the spectrum of the Dirac Hamiltonian, thus all of quantum mechanics, are independent of that set. These results allow us to show that the tensor Dirac theory, which transforms the wave function as a spacetime vector and the set of Dirac matrices as a third-order affine tensor, is physically equivalent to the genuine Dirac theory, based on the spinor transformation. The tensor Dirac equation extends immediately to general coordinate systems, thus to non-inertial (e.g. rotating) coordinate systems.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2007

Main effects of the Earth's rotation on the stationary states of ultra-cold neutrons

The relativistic corrections in the Hamiltonian for a particle in a uniformly rotating frame are discussed. They are shown to be negligible in the case of ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) in the Earth's gravity. The effect, on the energy levels of UCN, of the main term due to the Earth's rotation, i.e. the angular-momentum term, is calculated. The energy shift is found proportional to the energy level itself.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2007

Scalar theory of gravity as a pressure force

The theory starts from a tentative interpretation of gravity as Archimedes' thrust exerted on matter at the scale of elementary particles by an imagined perfect fluid ("ether"): the gravity acceleration is expressed by a formula in which the "ether pressure" p_e plays the role of the Newtonian potential. The instantaneous propagation of Newtonian gravity is obtained with an incompressible ether, giving a field equation for p_e. For a compressible ether, this equation holds in the static case. The extension to non-static situations follows the lines of acoustics and leads to gravitational (pressure) waves. To account for metric effects, the modern version of the Lorentz-Poincare interpretation of special relativity is used. Einstein's equivalence principle (EP) is seen as a correspondence between the metric effects of gravity and those of uniform motion with respect to the ether: a gravitational contraction (dilation) of space (time) standards is assumed. This implies geodesic motion for test particles in a static field. The scalar field equation is now expressed in terms of the physical space and time metrics in the frame of ether. Since both metrics depend on p_e due to the EP, it becomes non-linear in p_e. In the spherical static situation, Schwarzschild's exterior metric is predicted, but the interior metric differs from GR. Since pressure produces gravitation also in the investigated theory, no equilibrium is possible for very massive objects. But the gravitational collapse in free fall does not lead to any singularity. Moreover, gravitational waves, and even shock ones, can exist in vacuo also with spherical symmetry.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2007

Energy and equations of motion in a tentative theory of gravity with a privileged reference frame

Based on a tentative interpretation of gravity as a pressure force, a scalar theory of gravity was previously investigated. It assumes gravitational contraction (dilation) of space (time) standards. In the static case, the same Newton law as in special relativity was expressed in terms of these distorted local standards, and was found to imply geodesic motion. Here, the formulation of motion is reexamined in the most general situation. A consistent Newton law can still be defined, which accounts for the time variation of the space metric, but it is not compatible with geodesic motion for a time-dependent field. The energy of a test particle is defined: it is constant in the static case. Starting from 'dust', a balance equation is then derived for the energy of matter. If the Newton law is assumed, the field equation of the theory allows to rewrite this as a true conservation equation, including the gravitational energy. The latter contains a Newtonian term, plus the square of the relative rate of the local velocity of gravitation waves (or that of light), the velocity being expressed in terms of absolute standards.

physics.gen-ph↗
arXiv2007

Ether theory of gravitation: why and how?

Gravitation might make a preferred frame appear, and with it a clear space/time separation--the latter being, a priori, needed by quantum mechanics (QM) in curved space-time. Several models of gravitation with an ether are discussed: they assume metrical effects in an heterogeneous ether and/or a Lorentz-symmetry breaking. One scalar model, starting from a semi-heuristic view of gravity as a pressure force, is detailed. It has been developed to a complete theory including continuum dynamics, cosmology, and links with electromagnetism and QM. To test the theory, an asymptotic scheme of post-Newtonian approximation has been built. That version of the theory which is discussed here predicts an internal-structure effect, even at the point-particle limit. The same might happen also in general relativity (GR) in some gauges, if one would use a similar scheme. Adjusting the equations of planetary motion on an ephemeris leaves a residual difference with it; one should adjust the equations using primary observations. The same effects on light rays are predicted as with GR, and a similar energy loss applies to binary pulsars.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

A theory of gravity as a pressure force. II. Lorentz contraction and "relativistic" effects

In a foregoing paper, gravity has been interpreted as the pressure force exerted on matter at the scale of elementary particles by a perfect fluid. Under the condition that Newtonian gravity must be recovered in the incompressible case, a scalar field equation has thus been proposed for gravity, giving a new theory in the compressible case. Here the theory is reinterpreted so as to describe the relativistic effects, by extending the Lorentz-Poincaré interpretation of special relativity which is first recalled. Gravitational space-contraction and time-dilatation are postulated, as a consequence of the principle of local equivalence between the effects of motion and gravitation. The space-time metric (expressing the proper time along a trajectory) is hence curved also in the proposed theory. As the result of a modified Newton law, it is proved that free test particles follow geodesic lines of this metric. In the spherical static situation, Schwarzschild's exterior metric is exactly recovered and with it the experimental support of general relativity, but the interior solution as well as the problematic of singularities are different in the proposed theory, e.g. the radius of the body cannot be smaller than the Schwarzschild radius.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

On Variational Micro-Macro Models and their Application to Polycrystals

Some variational micro-macro models are briefly reviewed: it is shown how, starting from the Taylor model and passing through the relaxed Taylor model, a consistent intermediate between Taylor's upper bound and the lower bound (Sachs or rather "static") model was obtained. This intermediate or "inhomogeneous" variational model (indeed, it generally predicts both strain and stress to be inhomogeneous) could offer a general alternative to self-consistent models. However, the implemented version was a rather empirical model (ARMINJON [1984]) with a less well-defined status. We present current progress in the implementation of the correct version.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2006

Physical Meaning and Experimental Check of a Variational Principle for Macro-to-Micro Transition

It is argued that, for strongly non-linear behaviors, a fully deterministic position can hardly be maintained in the micro-macro transitions. This is due to the lack of information on the relevant boundary conditions, and to the tendency of non-linear dynamical systems to have a "horizon of predictibility". In the variational micro-macro model proposed by us, the data of the microscopic behavior plus the overall stimulus has to be supplemented by a "heterogeneity parameter". In this model, the macro-to-micro transition depends on the validity of a "principle of minimal heterogeneity" (PMH). It is shown that the PMH has a close relation to the maximum entropy principle.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2006

Maximum entropy principle and texture formation

The macro-to-micro transition in a heterogeneous material is envisaged as the selection of a probability distribution by the Principle of Maximum Entropy (MAXENT). The material is made of constituents, e.g. given crystal orientations. Each constituent is itself made of a large number of elementary constituents. The relevant probability is the volume fraction of the elementary constituents that belong to a given constituent and undergo a given stimulus. Assuming only obvious constraints in MAXENT means describing a maximally disordered material. This is proved to have the same average stimulus in each constituent. By adding a constraint in MAXENT, a new model, potentially interesting e.g. for texture prediction, is obtained.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2006

On the extension of Newton's second law to theories of gravitation in curved space-time

We investigate the possibility of extending Newton's second law to the general framework of theories in which special relativity is locally valid, and in which gravitation changes the flat Galilean space-time metric into a curved metric. This framework is first recalled, underlining the possibility to uniquely define a space metric and a local time in any given reference frame, hence to define velocity and momentum in terms of the local space and time standards. It is shown that a unique consistent definition can be given for the derivative of a vector (the momentum) along a trajectory. Then the possible form of the gravitation force is investigated. It is shown that, if the motion of free particles has to follow space-time geodesics, then the expression for the gravity acceleration is determined uniquely. It depends on the variation of the metric with space and time, and it involves the velocity of the particle.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

Post-Newtonian equation for the energy levels of a Dirac particle in a static metric

We study first the Hamiltonian operator H corresponding to the Fock-Weyl extension of the Dirac equation to gravitation. When searching for stationary solutions to this equation, in a static metric, we show that just one invariant Hermitian product appears natural. In the case of a space-isotropic metric, H is Hermitian for that product. Then we investigate the asymptotic post-Newtonian approximation of the stationary Schroedinger equation associated with H, for a slow particle in a weak-field static metric. We rewrite the expanded equations as one equation for a two-component spinor field. This equation contains just the non-relativistic Schroedinger equation in the gravity potential, plus correction terms. Those "correction" terms are of the same order in the small parameter as the "main" terms, but are numerically negligible in the case of ultra-cold neutrons in the Earth's gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

Space isotropy and weak equivalence principle in a scalar theory of gravity

We consider a preferred-frame bimetric theory in which the scalar gravitational field both influences the metric and has direct dynamical effects. A modified version ("v2") is built, by assuming now a locally-isotropic dilation of physically measured distances, as compared with distances evaluated with the Euclidean space metric. The dynamical equations stay unchanged: they are based on a consistent formulation of Newton's second law in a curved space-time. To obtain a local conservation equation for energy with the new metric, the equation for the scalar field is modified: now its l.h.s. is the flat wave operator. Fluid dynamics is formulated and the asymptotic scheme of post-Newtonian approximation is adapted to v2. The latter also explains the gravitational effects on light rays, as did the former version (v1). The violation of the weak equivalence principle found for gravitationally-active bodies at the point-particle limit, which discarded v1, is proved to not exist in v2. Thus that violation was indeed due to the anisotropy of the space metric assumed in v1.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

Dirac equation from the Hamiltonian and the case with a gravitational field

Starting from an interpretation of the classical-quantum correspondence, we derive the Dirac equation by factorizing the algebraic relation satisfied by the classical Hamiltonian, before applying the correspondence. This derivation applies in the same form to a free particle, to one in an electromagnetic field, and to one subjected to geodesic motion in a static metric, and leads to the same, usual form of the Dirac equation--in special coordinates. To use the equation in the static-gravitational case, we need to rewrite it in more general coordinates. This can be done only if the usual, spinor transformation of the wave function is replaced by the 4-vector transformation. We show that the latter also makes the flat-space-time Dirac equation Lorentz-covariant, although the Dirac matrices are not invariant. Because the equation itself is left unchanged in the flat case, the 4-vector transformation does not alter the main physical consequences of that equation in that case. However, the equation derived in the static-gravitational case is not equivalent to the standard (Fock-Weyl) gravitational extension of the Dirac equation.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2005

Equations of motion according to the asymptotic post-Newtonian scheme for general relativity

We summarize a recent work done on the title's subject. First, we present the asymptotic scheme of post-Newtonian (PN) approximation for general relativity in the harmonic gauge. Then, we discuss the definition of the mass centers and the derivation of equations for their motion, following that scheme. Finally, we briefly analyze the reason why a new term has thus been found in the equations of motion.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2005

Equations of motion according to the asymptotic post-Newtonian scheme for general relativity in the harmonic gauge

The asymptotic scheme of post-Newtonian approximation defined for general relativity (GR) in the harmonic gauge by Futamase & Schutz (1983) is based on a family of initial data for the matter fields of a perfect fluid and for the initial metric, defining a family of weakly self-gravitating systems. We show that Weinberg's (1972) expansion of the metric and his general expansion of the energy-momentum tensor ${\bf T}$, as well as his expanded equations for the gravitational field and his general form of the expanded dynamical equations, apply naturally to this family. Then, following the asymptotic scheme, we derive the explicit form of the expansion of ${\bf T}$ for a perfect fluid, and the expanded fluid-dynamical equations. (These differ from those written by Weinberg.) By integrating these equations in the domain occupied by a body, we obtain a general form of the translational equations of motion for a 1PN perfect-fluid system in GR. To put them into a tractable form, we use an asymptotic framework for the separation parameter $η$, by defining a family of well-separated 1PN systems. We calculate all terms in the equations of motion up to the order $η^3$ included. To calculate the 1PN correction part, we assume that the Newtonian motion of each body is a rigid one, and that the family is quasi-spherical, in the sense that in all bodies the inertia tensor comes close to being spherical as $η\to 0$. Apart from corrections that cancel for exact spherical symmetry, there is in the final equations of motion one additional term, as compared with the Lorentz-Droste (Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann) acceleration. This term depends on the spin of the body and on its internal structure.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2004

Scalar gravity with preferred frame: asymptotic post-Newtonian scheme and the weak equivalence principle

A scalar theory of gravity with a preferred reference frame is presented. It is insisted on the dynamics, which involves a (non-trivial) extension of Newton's second law, and on the new version (v2) with isotropic space metric. We display the energy conservation equation obtained with v2. Then the principles of the asymptotic post-Newtonian approximation are discussed in some detail. The results of its application to the motion of a small extended body in a weakly-gravitating system are given and discussed: the weak equivalence principle was violated in v1, due to its anisotropic space metric (as the standard Schwarzschild metric), but is valid with v2.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2004

Motion of the mass centers in a scalar theory of gravitation: the point particle limit

We investigate the point-particle limit of the equations of motion valid for a system of extended bodies in a scalar alternative theory of gravitation: the size of one of the bodies being a small parameter xi, we calculate the limit, as xi tends towards 0, of the post-Newtonian (PN) acceleration of this small body. We use the asymptotic scheme of PN approximation, that expands all fields. We find that the PN acceleration A of the small body keeps a structure-dependent part at this limit. In particular, if the only massive body is static and spherical, then A differs from the PN acceleration of a test particle in a Schwarzschild field only by this structure-dependent part. The presence of the latter is due to the fact that the PN metric depends on the first spatial derivatives of the Newtonian potential. Since just the same form of PN metric is valid for the standard form of Schwarzschild's solution, the acceleration of a small body might keep a structure-dependent part at the point limit in general relativity also, depending on the gauge. The magnitude of the structure-dependent acceleration is already challenging on Earth. For the Pioneer spacecrafts, it is likely to discard the current version of the scalar theory. A modified version has been outlined in a quoted reference. Keywords: Weak equivalence principle violation, Asymptotic post-Newtonian scheme

gr-qc↗