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Robert D. Klauber

Publications and source records attributed to Robert D. Klauber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Mechanism for Resolving Gauge Hierarchy and Large Vacuum Energy

Alternative forms of the solutions to the quantum field equations and their implications for physical theory are considered. Incorporation of these alternative solution forms, herein deemed "supplemental solutions", into the development of quantum field theory leads to a unique class of particle states, which may provide simple resolutions of more than one extant problem in high energy physics. The symmetry between the traditional and supplemental solutions results in a direct and natural zero-point energy value of zero, and, as well, a possible mechanism for cancelling the Higgs condensate energy, thereby providing a potential resolution of the large cosmological constant problem. Further, this symmetry may also resolve the Higgs gauge hierarchy problem. Resolutions of seeming theoretic impediments to supplemental fields, in particular, non-positive definite Fock space metric and vacuum decay, are presented, and concomitant implications for unitarity are considered. As supplemental solutions are already inherent in quantum field theory, little change is required to the fundamental mathematics of the theory.

physics.gen-ph↗

Can One-Way Light Speed be Measured? Comment on E. D. Greaves et al., Am. J. Phys. 77(10), 894-896 (2009)

The convention dependence of one-way light speed is explained in a manner accessible to those unaccustomed to the concept. That logic is used to challenge the claim by Greaves et al that their experiment detected one-way light speed. The reason for the result obtained is then presented and followed by an explanation of why the Romer experiment did not measure a convention independent one-way light speed.

physics.gen-ph↗

Evolution and Earth's Entropy

Entropy decreases on the Earth due to day/night temperature differences. This decrease exceeds the decrease in entropy on the Earth related to evolution by many orders of magnitude. Claims by creationists that science is somehow inconsistent with regard to evolution are thus show to be baseless.

physics.pop-ph↗

Is Detection of Fitzgerald-Lorentz Contraction Possible?

Visual perception of Fitzgerald-Lorentz contraction is known to be theoretically impossible, and this can be demonstrated pedagogically with the aid of simple spacetime diagrams of one spatial dimension. Such diagrams also demonstrate, simply and directly, that the apparent length of a moving meter stick changes as it passes by and can even look elongated. In addition, measurement of a moving meter stick with instruments, as opposed to visual perception, must be inherently ambiguous, as the length measured depends on clock synchronization, which is widely considered to be conventional. In fact, for some synchronization choices, a moving meter stick would be measured as greater than one meter. Thus, the well known Fitzgerald-Lorentz contraction factor $\sqrt {1-v^2/c^2} $ would generally not be seen visually, and would only be measured in a system employing one particular (Einstein) synchronization convention.

physics.gen-ph↗

Vacuum Fluctuations Cannot Mimic a Cosmological Constant

When the vacuum fluctuation pressure is calculated directly from fundamental principles of quantum field theory, in the same manner as vacuum fluctuation energy density is commonly calculated, one finds it is not equal to the negative of the vacuum fluctuation energy density. Thus, vacuum fluctuations cannot manifest as a cosmological constant of any order.

physics.gen-ph↗

Mechanism for Vanishing Zero-Point Energy

In addition to the two standard solutions of the quantum field equations having the form e^{+/-(iwt-ikx)}, there exist two additional solutions of the form e^{+/-(iwt+ikx). By incorporating these latter solutions, deemed "supplemental solutions", into the development of quantum field theory, one finds a simple and natural cancellation of terms that results in an energy VEV, and a cosmological constant, of zero. This fundamental, and previously unrecognized, inherent symmetry in quantum field theory shows promise for providing a resolution of the large vacuum energy problem, simply and directly, with little modification or extension to the extant mathematics of the theory. In certain scenarios, slight asymmetries could give rise to dark energy.

astro-ph↗

Relativistic Rotation: A Comparison of Theories

Alternative theories of relativistic rotation considered viable as of 2004 are compared in the light of experiments reported in 2005. En route, the contentious issue of simultaneity choice in rotation is resolved by showing that only one simultaneity choice, the one possessing continuous time, gives rise, via the general relativistic equation of motion, to the correct Newtonian limit Coriolis acceleration. In addition, the widely dispersed argument purporting Lorentz contraction in rotation and the concomitant curved surface of a rotating disk is analyzed and argued to be lacking for more than one reason. It is posited that not by theoretical arguments, but only via experiment can we know whether such effect exists in rotation or not. The Coriolis/simultaneity correlation, and the results of the 2005 experiments, support the Selleri theory as being closest to the truth, though it is incomplete in a more general applicability sense, because it does not provide a global metric. Two alternatives, a modified Klauber approach and a Selleri-Klauber hybrid, are presented which are consistent with recent experiment and have a global metric, thereby making them applicable to rotation problems of all types.

gr-qc↗

Generalized Tensor Analysis Method Applied to Non-time-orthogonal Coordinate Frames

A generalized covariant method of analysis applicable to frames for which time is not orthogonal to space, such as spacetime around a star possessing angular momentum or on a rotating disk, is presented. Important aspects of such an analysis are shown to include i) use of the physically relevant contravariant or covariant component form for a given vector/tensor, ii) conversion of physical (measured) components to generalized coordinate components prior to tensor analysis, iii) use of generalized covariant constitutive equations during tensor analysis, and iv) conversion of coordinate components back to physical components after tensor analysis. The method is then applied to electrodynamics in a rotating frame, and shown to predict the results of the Wilson/Wilson and Roentgen/Eichenwald experiments.

gr-qc↗

"Pseudo" pseudo forces in gauge synchronization theories

The role of extra terms in Newton's second law that arise as a result of non-Einstein synchronization is explored. Although such extra terms have been interpreted as pseudo forces that constrain physical theory to a unique method of synchronization (the Einstein, or standard, synchronization), a fully relativistic analysis indicates that such extra terms do not invalidate the conventionalist thesis of synchronization.

physics.class-ph↗

Toward a Consistent Theory of Relativistic Rotation. Chapter 6 in Relativity in Rotating Frames

Part 1. Conundrums in the Traditional Analysis of Rotating Frames. Part 2. Resolution of the Conundrums: Differential Geometry and Non-time-orthogonality. Part 3. Experiment and Non-time-orthogonal Analysis. Part 3 contains a tabular history of the experiments performed since 1887 to test special relativity theory. It notes that the Brillet and Hall experiment in 1978 stands alone as a true, and sufficiently accurate, test of light speed in a rotating frame. Anomalous data (considered "spurious" at the time) from that experiment support the conclusions drawn herein.

physics.class-ph↗

Analysis of the Anomalous Brillet and Hall Experimental Result

The persistent, second order, anomalous signal found in the Brillet and Hall experiment is derived by applying 4D differential geometry in the rotating earth frame. By incorporating the off diagonal time-space components of the rotating frame metric directly into the analysis, rather than arbitrarily transforming them away, one finds a signal dependence on the surface speed of the earth due to rotation about its axis. This leads to a Brillet-Hall signal prediction in remarkably close agreement with experiment. No signal is predicted from the speed of the earth in solar or galactic orbit, as the associated metric for gravitational orbit has no off diagonal component. To corroborate this result, a repetition by other experimentalists of the Brillet-Hall experiment, in which the test apparatus turns with respect to the earth surface, is urged.

gr-qc↗

Derivation of the General Case Sagnac Result using Non-time-orthogonal Analysis

The experimentally determined Sagnac fringe shift dependency on angular velocity and enclosed area is derived from the rotating reference frame using non-time-orthogonal tensor analysis. The relationship for the most general case, in which the area enclosed is not circular and does not have the axis of rotation passing through its center, is determined. It is submitted that this quantitative result, along with a related thought experiment, can not be found using the conventional approach of local co-moving Lorentz frames.

gr-qc↗

Relativistic Rotation in the Large Radius, Small Angular Velocity Limit

Relativistic rotation is considered in the limit of angular velocity approaching zero and radial distance approaching infinity, such that centrifugal acceleration is immeasurably small while tangent velocity remains close to the speed of light. For this case, the predictions of the traditional approach to relativistic rotation using local co-moving Lorentz frames are compared and contrasted with those of the differential geometry based non-time-orthogonal analysis approach. Different predictions by the two approaches imply that only the non-time-orthogonal approach is valid.

gr-qc↗

Frequency and Wavelength of Light for Relativistically Rotating Frames

Non-time-orthogonal frame analysis is applied to determine the frequency and wavelength of light as observed i) in a relativistically rotating frame when emission is from a source fixed in the non-rotating frame, ii) in a non-rotating frame when emission is from a source fixed in the rotating frame, and iii) when both source and observer are fixed in the rotating frame and the source emission direction varies with respect to the rotating frame. Appropriate Doppler effects are demonstrated, and second order differences from translating (time-orthogonal) frame analysis are noted.

gr-qc↗

Non-time-orthogonality and Tests of Special Relativity

An intriguing, and possibly significant, anomalous signal in the Brillet and Hall experiment is contrasted with a simple first order test of special relativity subsequently performed to discount that signal as spurious. Analysis of the non-time-orthogonal nature of the rotating earth frame leads to the conclusion that the latter test needed second order accuracy in order to detect the effect sought, and hence was not sufficient to discount the potential cause of the anomalous signal. The analysis also explains the results found in Sagnac type experiments wherein different media were placed in the path of the light beams.

gr-qc↗

Relativistically Rotating Frames and Non-time-orthogonality

This paper is a brief overview of a more extensive article recently published in Found. Phys. Lett. [2]. Apparent disagreement with experiment as well as internal inconsistencies found in the traditional analysis of relativistically rotating frames/disks are summarized. As one example, a point p at 0 degrees on the circumference of a rotating disk does not, according to the standard theory, exist at the same moment in time as the same point p at 360 degrees. This and other problems with the standard theory are completely resolved by a novel analysis that directly addresses, apparently for the first time, the non-time-orthogonal nature of rotating frames. Though ultimately consonant with the special and general theories of relativity, due to non-time-orthogonality, the analysis predicts several peculiar (i.e., not traditionally relativistic) results. For example, the local circumferential speed of light is not invariant (thereby agreeing with the Sagnac experiment), and no Lorentz contraction exists along the disk rim. Other experimental results, including time dilation, mass-energy dependence on speed, and what has heretofore been considered a "spurious" signal in the most accurate Michelson-Morley experiment performed to date, are accurately predicted. Further, the widely accepted postulate for the equivalence of co-moving inertial and non-inertial rods, used liberally with prior rotating frame analyses, is shown to be invalid for non-time-orthogonal frames. This understanding of the ramifications of non-time-orthogonality resolves paradoxes inherent in the traditional theory.

gr-qc↗

Physical Components, Coordinate Components, and the Speed of Light

For generalized coordinate systems, the numerical values of vector and tensor components do not generally equal the physical values, i.e., the values one would measure with standard physical instruments. Hence, calculating physical components from coordinate components is important for comparing experiment with theory. Surprisingly, however, this calculational method is not widely known among physicists, and is rarely taught in relativity courses, though it is commonly employed in at least one other field (applied mechanics.) Different derivations of this method, ranging from elementary to advanced level, are presented. The result is then applied to clarify the oftentimes confusing issue of whether or not the speed of light in non-inertial frames is equal to c.

gr-qc↗

New Perspectives on the Relativistically Rotating Disk and Non-time-orthogonal Reference Frames

The rotating disk problem is analyzed on the premise that proper interpretation of experimental evidence leads to the conclusion that the postulates upon which relativity theory is based, particularly the invariance of the speed of light, are not applicable to rotating frames. Different postulates based on the Sagnac experiment are proposed, and from these postulates a new relativistic theory of rotating frames is developed following steps similar to those initially followed by Einstein for rectilinear motion. The resulting theory agrees with all experiments, resolves problems with the traditional approach to the rotating disk, and exhibits both traditionally relativistic and non-relativistic characteristics. Of particular note, no Lorentz contraction exists on the rotating disk circumference, and the disk surface, contrary to the assertions of Einstein and others, is found to be Riemann flat. The variable speed of light found in the Sagnac experiment is then shown to be characteristic of non-time-orthogonal reference frames, of which the rotating frame is one. In addition, the widely accepted postulate for the equivalence of inertial and non-inertial standard rods with zero relative velocity, used liberally in prior rotating disk analyses, is shown to be invalid for such frames. Further, the new theory stands alone in correctly predicting what was heretofore considered a "spurious" non-null effect on the order of 10^-13 found by Brillet and Hall in the most accurate Michelson-Morley type test to date. The presentation is simple and pedagogic in order to make it accessible to the non-specialist. Key words: relativistic, rotating disk, Sagnac, rotating frame, non-time-orthogonal frame.

gr-qc↗