Wolfgang Yourgrau

Cosmological implications of anomalous redshifts—A possible working hypothesis

An analysis of the most recent experimental data shows that the isotropic and universal proportionality of redshift to distance, predicted for all distant objects by the expanding universe model, cannot be regarded as an established fact at the present stage of experimental knowledge. An interpretation of the conflicting data is given in terms of interactions between nonzero-mass photons and light scalar bosons. This leads to a new, static, Einstein-type hierarchical model of the universe, where the cosmological redshift results essentially from a tired-light effect.

Statistical Inference and Quantum Mechanical Measurement

We analyze the quantum mechanical measuring process from the standpoint of information theory. Statistical inference is used in order to define the most likely state of the measured system that is compatible with the readings of the measuring instrument and the a priori information about the correlations between the system and the instrument. This approach has the advantage that no reference to the time evolution of the combined system need be made. It must, however, be emphasized that the result is to be interpreted as the statistically inferred state of the original system rather than the state of the system after measurement. The phenomenon of “reduction of states” appears in this light as a consequence of incomplete information rather than the physical interaction between measured system and measuring instrument.

On general-relativistic and gauge field theories

The fundamental open questions of general relativity theory are the unification of the gravitational field with other fields, aiming at a unified geometrization of physics, as well as the renormalization of relativistic gravitational theory in order to obtain their self-consistent solutions. These solutions are to furnish field-theoretic particle models—a problem first discussed by Einstein. In addition, we are confronted with the issue of a coupling between gravitational and matter fields determined (not only) by Einsteins principle of equivalence, and also with the question of the geometric meaning of a gravitational quantum theory. In our view, all these problems are so closely related that they warrant a general solution. We treat mainly the concepts suggested by Einstein and Weyl.

A Budget of Paradoxes in Physics1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the paradoxes in physics. The occurrence of paradoxes is a refractory trait that has irritated thinkers throughout the ages. Studies in paradox have acquired a prominent role in logic, mathematics, and epistemology. The first paradox of the kinetic theory arises when one tries to understand the slowness of diffusion of gases. According to this theory, molecules move with tremendous speed. When a number of vessels of different shapes and fill them with water, the liquid column will reach exactly the same level in each vessel. This phenomenon is known as the hydrostatic paradox. The search for paradoxes, even in physics, may become a compulsive habit. To wit, Schrodinger saw fit to christen an interesting physical phenomenon called the paradox of the Richardson effect. The chapter also discusses the Gibbs entropy paradox or discontinuity paradox of Gibbs that arises in the domain of thermophysics and is parasitic on Boltzmanns entropy equation.

On gravitational shock waves

The discontinuity planes of the Riemann curvature tensorRklmi in the Einsteinian vacuumRkl=0 are isotropic hypersurfaces. These surfaces are to be conceived as being constructed of lightlike geodesics, which form, in the eikonal approximation, gravitational radiation. The discontinuity planes themselves describe the wave fronts of disturbances of the metricgik, propagating with the velocity of light. By successively applying continuity conditions for the derivatives of thegik that follow from Einsteins equations, we obtain the universal expression of gravitational wave fields in space-time “strips” (or representations) of arbitrarily selected Einstein spaces.

Further evidence for an anomalous interaction between the electromagnetic and gravitational fields

SummaryDue to the fact that the interplanetary time delay and radio-frequency quasar deflection results appear to be at variance with the hypothesis of the frequency dependence of the speed of light in a gravitational field, the data from the optical-frequency deflection experiments are re-analysed to see if the gravitational-electromagnetic field interaction is a function of the electromagnetic and gravitational field intensities. This analysis and a statistical investigation designed to test the physical significance of the results of the analysis indicate that it is probable that the field intensities, as well as the frequency of the electromagnetic field, are parameters of the interaction. It is noted that Duchesne and Vigier’s recent work which suggests that the photon has a finite rest mass supports the frequency-dependence hypothesis.RiassuntoPer il fatto che i risultati sul ritardo temporale interplanetario e sulla deflessione della radiofrequenza delle quasar sembrano in discordanza con l’ipotesi della dipendenza della velocità della luce dalla frequenza in un campo gravitazionale, si rianalizzano i dati degli esperimenti di deflessione a frequenze ottiche per vedere se l’interazione tra i campi gravitazionale ed elettromagnetico è funzione dello intensità dei campi elettromagnetico e gravitazionale. Questa analisi ed una ricerca statistica destinata a controllare il significato fisico dei risultati dell’analisi indicano che è probabile che le intensità dei campi, come anche la frequenza del campo elettromagnetico, sono parametri dell’interazione. Si nota che il recente lavoro di Duchesne e Vigier, che suggerisce che il fotone ha una massa in quiete finita, appoggia l’ipotesi della dipendenza dalla frequenza.РезюмеВследствие того, что р езультаты для межпланетной времен ной задержки и радио-частотного от ражения квазаров нах одятся в противоречии с гипот езой зависимости ско рости света в гравита ционном поле от часто ты, поэтому в гравитационном пол е от частоты, поэтому заново анализируютс я данные, полученные и з экспериментов по отр ажению оптических ча стот, чтобы показать я вляется ли взаимодей ствие между показать является ли взаимодействие межд у электромагнитным электромагнитным и гравитационным пол ями функцией интенси вностей электромагнитного и гравитационного пол ей. Этот анализ и стати стическое исследова ние, Предпоженн анализ и статистичес кое исследование, Пре дпоженные для для проверки физической значимости результа та этого анализа, указывают, чт о, по-видимому, интенси вности полей, а также ч астота электромагни тного поля явл полей, а также частота электромагнитного п оля являются парамет рами взаимодействия. Отмечается, что недав няя работа Душена и Ви гира, являются параметрам и взаимодействия. Отм ечается, что недавняя работа Душена и Вигир а, недавняя работа Душе на и Вигира, в которой предполага ется, что фотон имеет к онечную массу покоя, подтверж дает гипотезу частот ной зависимости. зависимости.

Marginal Notes on Schrödinger

Even the non-scientist among scholars is more or less acquainted with the fact that Erwin Schrodinger, who died in 1961, belongs to that galaxy of original thinkers in physics, which is distinguished by names like Planck, Einstein, Bohr, Heisenberg, Born, Dirac, Pauli, and so forth. And the physicist learns during his study of quantum theory that Schrodinger is the founder of wave mechanics, and thus the creator of one of the most impressive physical edifices of modern theoretical physics. The various versions of the famous equation called after him have become permanent features in current physical theory. I do not think that wave mechanics will ever reach the exceptional, prominent status of general theory of relativity. Anyhow, it is not custom to compare the relevance of one physical theory with another. In other words, we usually refrain from ranking, as it were, the accomplishments of physicists whose contributions have not only affected the domain of physics, but changed our general conception of the universe.

Intermezzo: The Einstein Effects

According to the weak principle of equivalence, the Lagrangian ℒ describing the motion of a test particle with rest mass m in the gravitational field of a central mass M is given by the relativistic line element ds:

On Some Cosmological Theories and Constants

\left({c-\frac{\mathcal{L}}{{mc}}} \right)dt=ds={{g_{{ik}}}d{x^{i}}d{x^{k}})^{{1/2}}}