arXiv subjects

R. L. Oldershaw

Publications and source records attributed to R. L. Oldershaw.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2010

Towards A Resolution Of The Vacuum Energy Density Crisis

The theoretical vacuum energy density estimated on the basis of the Standard Model of particle physics and very general quantum assumptions is 59 to 123 orders of magnitude larger than the measured vacuum energy density for the observable universe which is determined on the basis of the Standard Model of cosmology and empirical data. This enormous disparity between the expectations of two of our most widely accepted theoretical frameworks demands a credible and self-consistent explanation, and yet even after decades of sporadic effort a generally accepted resolution of this crisis has not surfaced. Very recently, however, a discrete self-similar cosmological paradigm based on the fundamental principle of discrete scale invariance has been found to offer a rationale for reducing the vacuum energy density disparity by at least 115 orders of magnitude, and possibly this new paradigm offers a means of eliminating the vacuum energy density crisis entirely.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2010

The Subatomic Particle Mass Spectrum

Representative members of the subatomic particle mass spectrum in the 100 MeV to 7,000 MeV range are retrodicted to a first approximation using the Kerr solution of General Relativity. The particle masses appear to form a restricted set of quantized values of a Kerr-based angular momentum-mass relation: m = (sqrt n)(M), where values of n are a set of discrete integers and M is a revised Planck mass. A fractal paradigm manifesting global discrete self-similarity is critical to a proper determination of M, which differs from the conventional Planck mass by roughly 19 orders of magnitude. This exceedingly simple and generic mass equation retrodicts the masses of a representative set of 27 well-known particles with an average relative error of 1.6%. A more rigorous mass formula, which includes the total spin angular momentum rule of Quantum Mechanics, the canonical spin values of the particles, and the dimensionless rotational parameter of the Kerr angular momentum-mass relation, is able to retrodict the masses of the 8 dominant baryons in the 900 MeV to 1700 MeV range at the 99.7% level, on average.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2010

Hadrons As Kerr-Newman Black Holes

The scale invariance of the source-free Einstein field equations suggests that one might be able to model hadrons as "strong gravity" black holes, if one uses an appropriate rescaling of units or a revised gravitational coupling factor. The inner consistency of this hypothesis is tested by retrodicting a close approximation to the mass of the proton from an equation that relates the angular momentum and mass of a Kerr black hole. More accurate mass and radius values for the proton are then retrodicted using the geometrodynamics form of the full Kerr-Newman solution of the Einstein-Maxwell equations. The radius of an alpha particle is calculated as an additional retrodictive test. In a third retrodictive test of the "strong gravity" hypothesis, the subatomic particle mass spectrum in the 100 MeV to 7,000 MeV range is retrodicted to a first approximation using the Kerr solution of General Relativity. The particle masses appear to form a restricted set of quantized values of the Kerr solution: n^1/2 M, where values of n are a set of discrete integers and M is the revised Planck mass. The accuracy of the 27 retrodicted masses averages 98.4%. Finally, the new atomic scale gravitational coupling constant suggests a radical revision of the assumptions governing the Planck scale, and leads to a natural explanation for the fine structure constant.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2009

Discrete Scale Relativity And SX Phoenicis Variable Stars

Discrete Scale Relativity proposes a new symmetry principle called discrete cosmological self-similarity which relates each class of systems and phenomena on a given Scale of nature's discrete cosmological hierarchy to the equivalent class of analogue systems and phenomena on any other Scale. The new symmetry principle can be understood in terms of discrete scale invariance involving the spatial, temporal and dynamic parameters of all systems and phenomena. This new paradigm predicts a rigorous discrete self-similarity between Stellar Scale variable stars and Atomic Scale excited atoms undergoing energy-level transitions and sub-threshold oscillations. Previously, methods for demonstrating and testing the proposed symmetry principle have been applied to RR Lyrae, Delta Scuti and ZZ Ceti variable stars. In the present paper we apply the same analytical methods and diagnostic tests to a new class of variable stars: SX Phoenicis variables. Double-mode pulsators are shown to provide an especially useful means of testing the uniqueness and rigor of the conceptual principles and discrete self-similar scaling of Discrete Scale Relativity.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2009

The Meaning Of The Fine Structure Constant

A possible explanation is offered for the longstanding mystery surrounding the meaning of the fine structure constant. The reasoning is based on a discrete self-similar cosmological paradigm that has shown promise in explaining the general scaling properties of nature's global hierarchy. The discrete scale invariance of the paradigm implies that "strong gravity" governs gravitational interactions within atomic scale systems. Given the revised gravitational coupling constant and Planck mass, one can demonstrate that the fine structure constant is the ratio of the strengths of the unit electromagnetic interaction and the unit gravitational interaction within atomic scale systems. [Abridged]

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2008

Discrete Cosmological Self-Similarity And Delta Scuti Stars

Within the context of a fractal paradigm that emphasizes nature's well-stratified hierarchical organization, the delta Scuti class of variable stars is investigated for evidence of discrete cosmological self-similarity. Methods that were successfully applied to the RR Lyrae class of variable stars are used to identify Atomic Scale analogues to delta Scuti stars and their relevant range of energy levels. The mass, pulsation mode and fundamental oscillation period of a well-studied delta Scuti star are shown to be quantitatively self-similar to the counterpart parameters of a uniquely identified Atomic Scale analogue. Several additional tests confirm the specificity of the discrete fractal relationship.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Legend of Cosmological Homogeneity

For more than a half century cosmologists have been guided by the assumption that matter is distributed homogeneously on sufficiently large scales. On the other hand, observations have consistently yielded evidence for inhomogeneity in the distribution of matter right up to the limits of most surveys. The apparent paradox can be understood in terms of the role that paradigms play in the evolution of science.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2008

Discrete Self-Similarity Between RR Lyrae Stars And Singly-Excited Helium Atoms

Classical variable stars called RR Lyrae stars have pulsating outer envelopes comprised of excited atoms. Here we demonstrate that the qualitative and quantitative properties of RR Lyrae variables and one subclass of their atomic scale constituents: singly-excited helium atoms undergoing transitions between Rydberg states, share a remarkable degree of self-similarity. In terms of masses, radii, oscillation periods, morphologies and kinematics the stellar and atomic analogues obey a simple set of discrete self-similar scaling equations. The concept of stellar/atomic self-similarity may prove useful in the search for a deeper understanding of both stellar and atomic systems.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Gravitational Bohr Radius

The gravitational Bohr radius (GBR) characterizes the size of a hypothetical ground state hydrogen atom wherein the binding interaction between its nucleus and its electronic structure is purely gravitational. The conventional calculation of the GBR, based on the standard Newtonian gravitational coupling constant, yields an astronomical size for the "gravitational atom". On the other hand, a discrete fractal cosmological paradigm asserts that the gravitational coupling constant that applies within Atomic Scale systems is roughly 38 orders of magnitude larger than the conventional gravitational constant. According to calculations based on predictions of this discrete fractal paradigm, the value of the GBR is actually on the order of 2 pi times the standard Bohr radius. Implications of this revised gravitational Bohr radius are discussed.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2007

Discrete Scale Relativity

The possibility that global discrete dilation invariance is a fundamental symmetry principle of nature is explored. If the discrete self-similarity observed in nature is exact, then the Principle of General Covariance needs to be broadened in order to accommodate this form of discrete conformal invariance, and a further generalization of relativity theory is required.

physics.gen-ph↗

arXiv2006

Discrete Self-Similarity Of RR Lyrae Stars II. Period Spectrum For A Very Large Sample

A recent paper demonstrated a considerable degree of self-similarity between RR Lyrae stars and their atomic scale analogues: excited helium atoms undergoing single-level transition between n = 7 and n = 10. Discrete self-similarity between these fractal analogues was indentified in terms of their masses, radii, oscillation periods, basic morphologies and kinematics. In this second paper on the subject, an extremely large and carefully analyzed sample of RR Lyrae oscillation periods provides further evidence for a unique match between the predicted set of discrete periods, based exclusively on the known helium spectrum and the discrete scaling equations of a fractal cosmological paradigm, and the observed period spectra of RR Lyrae stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

ZZ Ceti Stars: Fractal Analogues of Excited Helium Ions?

Multi-periodic pulsation phenomena of ZZ Ceti variable stars are analyzed within the context of a fractal cosmological paradigm that emphasizes discrete self-similarity in nature. A quantitative test comparing relevant stellar and atomic periods provides preliminary support for the analysis. This paper completes a 3-part series that explores the possibility of discrete cosmological self-similarity in variable stars; the first and second papers discussed RR Lyrae and delta Scuti stars, respectively.

astro-ph↗