On the Gravitization of Quantum Mechanics 2: Conformal Cyclic Cosmology

The 2nd Law of thermodynamics was driven by the Big Bang being extraordinary special, with hugely suppressed gravitational degrees of freedom. This cannot have been simply the result of a conventional quantum gravity. Conformal cyclic cosmology proposes a different picture, of a classical evolution from an aeon preceding our own. The ultimate Hawking evaporation of black holes is key to the 2nd Law and requires information loss, violating unitarity in a strongly gravitational context.     

How big is the universe today?

If one defines the size of the present universe in terms of a hypersurface of simultaneity generated by the spatial geodesies orthogonal to our world line today, then it is finite in all expanding Big Bang Friedmann models.     

On the cognoscibility of the world

A spacetime region of size about 10^?33 cm, where the gravitation interaction becomes strong and which corresponds to the very beginning of the Big Bang theory, is discussed. It is argued for incognizablility of laws that govern phenomena proceeding in this region. It is assumed that basic changes in the entropy, which determine the direction of the time arrow, occur in the same region; therefore, their nature will never be established either. It is conjectured that brain cells are controlled by a quantum computer featuring a large (or even an indefinitely) large number of degenerate states. An external observation removes this degeneracy, rendering impossible the cognition of the consciousness mechanism.     

Antimatter in the Universe: constraints from gamma-ray astronomy

We review gamma-ray observations that constrain antimatter – both baryonic and leptonic - in the Universe. Antimatter is probed through ordinary matter, with the resulting annihilation gamma-rays providing indirect evidence for its presence. Although it is generally accepted that equal amounts of matter and antimatter have been produced in the Big Bang, gamma-rays have so far failed to detect substantial amounts of baryonic antimatter in the Universe. Conversely, positrons are abundantly observed through their annihilation in the central regions of our Galaxy and, although a wealth of astrophysical sources are plausible, their very origin is still unknown. As both antimatter questions – the source of the Galactic positrons and the baryon asymmetry in the Universe - can be investigated through the low energy gamma-ray channel, the mission concept of a dedicated space telescope is sketched out.     

AstrophysicalS(E) factor of8Li (α,n 0)11B and inhomogeneous Big Bang nucleosynthesis

The cross section of the¹¹B(n, α)⁸Li reaction has been measured atE _n=7.6 to 12.6 MeV. The neutron beam was produced via theD(d, n)³He reaction and aBF ₃ counter (with naturalB isotopic composition) served both as target for the¹¹B nuclides and as detector for the observation of the delayedα-activity of⁸Li. The data match well with previous results obtained atE _n =12.5 to 20.0 MeV. Using the principle of detailed balance the data were converted to the case of the⁸Li(α, n ₀)¹¹B reaction. The associated astrophysicalS(E) factor is dominated by a resonance atE _R=0.58 MeV of widthΓ _R =200 keV, withS(E _R )=8400 MeV b. ThisS (E _R ) value for the n₀ channel alone is already three times higher than the constantS(E) factor assumed previously and, thus, strengthens the significance of inhomogeneous Big Bang nucleosynthesis.     

The big bang as a result of the first-order phase transition driven by a change of the scalar curvature in an expanding early Universe: The “hyperinflation” scenario

We suggest that the Big Bang could be a result of the first-order phase transition driven by a change in the scalar curvature of the 4D spacetime in an expanding cold Universe filled with a nonlinear scalar field φ and neutral matter with an equation of state p = νε (where p and ε are the pressure and energy density of the matter, respectively). We consider the Lagrangian of a scalar field with nonlinearity φ⁴ in a curved spacetime that, along with the term–ξR|φ|² quadratic in φ (where ξ is the interaction constant between the scalar and gravitational fields and R is the scalar curvature), contains the term ξRφ₀(φ + φ⁺) linear in φ, where φ₀ is the vacuum mean of the scalar field amplitude. As a consequence, the condition for the existence of extrema of the scalar-field potential energy is reduced to an equation cubic in φ. Provided that ν > 1/3, the scalar curvature R = [κ(3ν–1)ε–4Λ] (where κ and Λ are Einstein’s gravitational and cosmological constants, respectively) decreases with decreasing ε as the Universe expands, and a first-order phase transition in variable “external field” parameter proportional to R occurs at some critical value R _c < 0. Under certain conditions, the critical radius of the early Universe at the point of the first-order phase transition can reach an arbitrary large value, so that this scenario of unrestricted “inflation” of the Universe may be called “hyperinflation.” After the passage through the phase-transition point, the scalar-field potential energy should be rapidly released, which must lead to strong heating of the Universe, playing the role of the Big Bang.     

Einstein energy associated with the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker metric

Following Einstein’s definition of Lagrangian density and gravitational field energy density (Einstein in Ann Phys Lpz 49:806, 1916, Einstein in Phys Z 19:115, 1918, Pauli in Theory of Relativity, B.I. Publications, Mumbai, 1963), Tolman derived a general formula for the total matter plus gravitational field energy (P ₀) of an arbitrary system (Tolman in Phys Rev 35:875, 1930, Tolman in Relativity, Thermodynamics &; Cosmology, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1962, Xulu in hep-th/0308070, 2003). For a static isolated system, in quasi-Cartesian coordinates, this formula leads to the well known result \({P_0 = \int \sqrt{-g} (T_0^0 - T_1^1 - T_2^2 - T_3^3) d^3 x,}\) where g is the determinant of the metric tensor and \({T^a_b}\) is the energy momentum tensor of the matter. Though in the literature, this is known as “Tolman Mass”, it must be realized that this is essentially “Einstein Mass” because the underlying pseudo-tensor here is due to Einstein. In fact, Landau–Lifshitz obtained the same expression for the “inertial mass” of a static isolated system without using any pseudo-tensor at all and which points to physical significance and correctness of Einstein Mass (Landau, Lifshitz in The Classical Theory of Fields, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1962)! For the first time we apply this general formula to find an expression for P ₀ for the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) metric by using the same quasi-Cartesian basis. As we analyze this new result, it transpires that, physically, a spatially flat model having no cosmological constant is preferred. Eventually, it is seen that conservation of P ₀ is honoured only in the static limit.     

Lamb-shift measurement in hydrogenlike Sulfur

The 2S _1/2-2P ^1/2 Lamb-shift in hydrogenlike Sulfur was measured with a field quench technique. A high velocity beam of S¹⁵⁺-ions (v/c=0.086) prepared in the metastable 2S _1/2 state crosses a homogeneous magnetic field of about 1.8 Tesla. The strong electric field of 4·10⁷ V/m in the rest frame of the ions mixes the longlived 2S _1/2-state (τ=7.18 nsec) with the short lived 2P _1/2-state (τ=2.4·10^?5 ns). From the measured lifetime of the thus quenched 2S _1/2-state a Lamb-shift value of 25.14±0.24 THz is derived and compared with theoretical predictions.     

Zur Ganggeschwindigkeit von Uhren auf der rotierenden Erde

On the Rates of Advance of Clocks on the Rotating Earth In 1905 ALBERT EINSTEIN came from his Special Theory of Relativity to the conclusion that a “balance clock” located at the earth's equator is somewhat slowed down compared with a clock resting at one of the earth's poles P (see Fig. 2 below). But interestingly, this retardation of time is fully compensated by an opposing gravitational effect which (according to the General Theory of Relativity, discovered later by EINSTEIN, 1908 - 1915) causes all (atomic) clocks even at any point A on earth's surface at normal sea-level at arbitrary latitudes φ to advance at the same rate as the clock at the pole: The kinematic time-dilatation of a clock A moving with the velocity v of the earth's daily revolution around its axis turns out to be precisely equal in magnitude to the acceleration of the advance of the same clock A with respect to the clock at P due to the gravitational potential-difference between A and P, resulting from the ellipsoidal figure of the rotating earth. These two variations in the clock-rates, amounting relatively to 1/2 (v/c)², where c denotes the velocity of light in vacuum, exactly cancel each other. Furthermore the so called clock-paradox and the Hafele-Keating-Experiment are rediscussed in a somewhat different way than usual.     

Die teleskopischen Prinzipien der Gravitationstheorie. (Machsches Prinzip,Mach-Einsteinsche Relativität der Trägheit und die Hertzsche Mechanik)

The Telescopical Principles in the Theory of Gravitation. (Machs Principle, Relativity of Inertia According to Mach and Einstein and Hertz' Mechanics) We give an explication and analytical formulation of Mach's principle of the “relativity of inertia” and of the Mach-Einstein doctrine on the determination of inertia by gravitation. These principles are whether “philosophical” nor “epistemological” postulates but well defined physical axioms with exactly analytical expressions. - The fundamental principle is the Galileian “reciprocity of motions”. According to this “generalized Galilei invariance” the principal functions of analytical dynamics (Lagrangian L and Hamiltonian H) are depending upon the differences ??_AB of the coordinate vectors ??_A and ??_B of the velocity differences ??_AB = ??_A-??_B, only. The Galileian reciprocity of motions means that whether the vectors ??_A and ??_A nor the accelerations ??_A of one particle have a physical significance. A mechanics obtaining this generalized Gailei-invariance cannot depend upon a kinematical Term \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ T = \frac{1}{2}\mathop {\Sigma m_A \mathop r\nolimits_A^2}\limits_A $\end{document} in the Lagrangian. Therefore, the inertial masses of the particles must be homogeneous function of interaction potentials Φ_A,B. According to the Einsteinian equivalence of inertia and gravity these interactions have to be the Newtonian gravitation. In a universe with N mass points the Mach-Einsteinian Lagrangian for our “gravodynamics without inertia” is In such a Mach-Einstein universe the celestical dynamics becomes in the first approximation the Newtonian dynamics, in the second (the “post-Newtonian”) approximation the general relativistic Einstein effects are resulting.-However, our gravodynamics gives new effects for large masses (no gravitational collapses) and in cosmology (secular accelerations a.o.). Generally, the space of our gravodynamics is whether the Newtonian “absolute space” V₃ nor the relativistic Einstein-Minkowski world V₄ but the Hertzian configuration space V_3N of the N particles. According to the relativity of inertia the Hertzian metrics become Riemannian metrics which are homogenous functions of the Newtonian gravitational potentials. .     

Heat capacity of oxides in the Bi2O3-SiO2 system

The high-temperature heat capacity of Bi₄Si₃O₁₂, Bi₂SiO₅, and Bi₁₂SiO₂₀ has been investigated. It has been found that there is a correlation between the specific heat C _p ⁰ (298 K) and the composition of oxides in the Bi₂O₃-SiO₂ system.     

Passivation of InAs/GaSb type II superlattice photodiodes

One of the major challenges faced by antimonide-based devices is a result of the large number of surface states that are generated. Surface passivation and subsequent capping of the surfaces are essential for any practical applicability of this material system, as evidenced by the comparison of unpassivated and passivated InAs/GaSb superlattice mid-infrared photodiodes herein. The surface passivation methods include silicon dioxide (SiO₂) coating after anodic sulfide, SiO₂ coating after anodic oxide, SiO₂ coating only, zinc sulfide (ZnS) coating after anodic sulfide, and ZnS coating after ammonium sulfide [(NH₄)₂S] chemical passivation. The leakage current as a function of bias voltage (I–V) for superlattice diodes obtained using different passivation methods has been examined at 77 K. The best performance was demonstrated by the SiO₂ after anodic sulfide passivation. The leakage current of the passivated diode is four orders of magnitudes less than that of the unpassivated diode.     

On the determination of collision cross sections by nuclear Doppler shift

We report on measurements of the energy loss of ions in matter by “Inverted Doppler Shift Attenuation” (IDSA). This new method is an inversion of the “Doppler Shift Attenuation” (DSA) method for the determination of lifetimes of nuclear states. While in DSA the exact knowledge of the velocity dependent energy loss functiondE/ds is required, it is shown that in IDSA this function or the absolute collision cross section, respectively, can be determined from the Doppler spectrum of an excited nuclear fragment recoiling in matter, whose lifetime is known. No corrections or assumptions concerning the collision processes are necessary. ⁷Li^* fragments (E _γ=478 keV) from the¹⁰B(n, α)⁷Li^* reaction produce an easily observable and analysable Doppler spectrum. Here boron must be a constituent or an implanted impurity of the material to be investigated. The experimental set-up is described. An exact relativistic analysis of the Doppler spectrum is given. The measured collision cross sections turn out (a) to be proportional tov within the range 1.5 · 10⁸≦v≦4.8 · 10⁸ cm/sec, (b) are thus only due to pure “electronic” collisions, and (c) sensitively dependent on the charge distributions of the target atoms.     

Probing PM2.5 with terahertz wave

The goal of continuous ambient participate monitoring has been accomplished by the use of terahertz(THz)wave.The frequency-dependent spectrum and absorbance of the particulate matter(PM2.5)were measured in the range of 0–10 THz.The PM2.5 concentration was calculated according to the sampling time and air flow.With the increase of,the THz wave amplitude gradually decreased and the absorbance A of PM2.5 increased.The relationship between and A can be described mathematically through A0.5.Our results demonstrate that the terahertz wave could be a valuable tool to monitor and inspect the PM2.5 concentration.     

A comparative study of the dopant profiles in diffused planar optical waveguides by SIMS and guided wave probe

A technique has been developed for dopant concentration depth profiling using static Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), and an ex-situ ion milling facility to produce “tapers” through the region of interest of an optical waveguide sample. Results have been obtained for titanium-diffused optical waveguides in lithium niobate and for potassium and caesium ion-exchanged glass waveguides. The SIMS profiles have been compared with refractive index profiles in multimode structures. The refractive index profiles have been obtained from the waveguide mode spectra by a piecewise linear Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method. The two profiles are in close agreement. Use of the SIMS technique for single mode Ti∶LiNbO₃ waveguides has revealed significant changes in the forms of the profiles, compared with deeper structures, and we suggest a mechanism to account for these changes.     

Electronic structure of low-pressure and high-pressure phases of silicon disulfide

Self-consistent density functional theory calculations of band spectra, densities of states as well as the spatial distribution of valence electron charge density were carried out for the low-pressure α-phase and the high-pressure β-phase of SiS₂. Group-theoretical analysis performed for both phases enabled the symmetry of wave functions in a number of high-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone as well as the structure of valence band representations to be found. Based on the calculations of the band structure, the orthorhombic α-phase of SiS₂ was determined to be an indirect-gap semiconductor with the band gap E _gi = 2.44 eV (T ₁ → X ₈ transition), while the β-phase was shown to be direct gap with E _gd = 2.95 eV (Г ₃ → Г ₂ transition). The calculated energy distribution of the total density of states in the valence band of α-SiS₂ qualitatively and quantitatively correlates with the main experimental features of the X-ray photoelectron spectrum.     

The “Sommerfeld Puzzle” revisited and resolved

The exact agreement between the Sommerfeld and Dirac results for the energy levels of the relativistic hydrogen atom (the “Sommerfeld Puzzle”) is analyzed and explained.     

Some speculations on a causal unification of relativity,gravitation, and quantum mechanics

Some speculations on a causal model that could provide a common conceptual foundation for relativity, gravitation, and quantum mechanics are presented. The present approach is a unification of three theories, the first being the repulsive theory of gravitational forces first proposed by Lesage in the eighteenth century. Lesage attempted to explain gravitational forces from the principle of conservation of momentum of some hypothetical particles, which we shall call gravitons. These gravitons, whose density is assumed homogenous, are constantly colliding with objects. The gravitational force is caused by a shielding effect of bodies when they are near each other. One also can make a clear physical distinction between an accelerating and a nonaccelerating object from this viewpoint. The second of these theories is the Brownian motion theory of quantum mechanics or stochastic mechanics, which treats the nondeterministic nature of quantum mechanics as being due to a Brownian motion of all objects. This Brownian motion being caused by the statistical variation in the graviton flux. The above two theories are unified in this article with the causal theory of special relativity. Within the present context, the time dilations (and other effects) of relativity are explained by assuming that the rate of a clock is a function of the total number or intensity of gravitons and the average frequency or energy of the gravitons that the clock receives. Two clocks having some relative velocity in the same intensity gravitational field would then have a different rate because the average frequency of the gravitons would be different for each clock owing to the Doppler effect. That is, they would essentially be in different fields considering both the frequency and intensity. The special theory would then be the special case of the general theory where the intensity is constant but the average frequency varies. In all the previous it is necessary to assume a particular model of the creation of the universe, namely the Big Bang theory. This assumption gives us the existence of a preferred reference frame, the frame in which the Big Bang explosion was at rest. The above concepts of graviton distribution and real time dilations become meaningful by assuming the Big Bang theory along with this preferred frame. An experimental test is proposed.     

Effect of different types of annealing on the thermal oxidation of V x O y /InP structures formed by the deposition of vanadium(V) oxide gel on the phase composition and morphology of films

The effect of different types of annealing (thermal or pulsed photon) of V _x O _y /InP structures synthesized using vanadium pentoxide gel on the process of their thermal oxidation, and the phase composition and morphology of the films are studied by the methods of X-ray phase analysis (XRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Thermal annealing makes it possible to synthesize films with a smoother surface relief in the absence of film-substrate interaction before thermal oxidation. Pulsed photon treatment compared with thermal annealing leads to more effective and rapid crystallization of the amorphous phase of the V₂O₅ gel and faster growth of oxide films during the thermal oxidation of V _x O _y /InP structures. As a result, pulsed photon treatment leads to the formation of InVO₄ as a product of the interaction between the semiconductor substrate and the chemostimulator, which is an attribute of the “hard” methods of chemostimulator deposition, i.e., magnetron sputtering and electric explosion of the conductor.     

Inflation of the early cold Universe filled with a nonlinear scalar field and a nonideal relativistic Fermi gas

We consider a possible scenario for the evolution of the early cold Universe born from a fairly large quantum fluctuation in a vacuum with a size a ₀ ? l _P (where l _P is the Planck length) and filled with both a nonlinear scalar field φ, whose potential energy density U(φ) determines the vacuum energy density λ, and a nonideal Fermi gas with short-range repulsion between particles, whose equation of state is characterized by the ratio of pressure P(n _F ) to energy density ε(n _F ) dependent on the number density of fermions n _F . As the early Universe expands, the dimensionless quantity ν(n _F ) = P(n _F )/ε(n _F ) decreases with decreasing n _F from its maximum value ν_max = 1 for n _F → ∞ to zero for n _F → 0. The interaction of the scalar and gravitational fields, which is characterized by a dimensionless constant ξ, is proportional to the scalar curvature of four-dimensional space R = κ[3P(n _F )–ε(n _F )–4λ] (where κ is Einstein’s gravitational constant), and contains terms both quadratic and linear in φ. As a result, the expanding early Universe reaches the point of first-order phase transition in a finite time interval at critical values of the scalar curvature R = R _c =–μ²/ξ and radius a _c ? a ₀. Thereafter, the early closed Universe “rolls down” from the flat inflection point of the potential U(φ) to the zero potential minimum in a finite time. The release of the total potential energy of the scalar field in the entire volume of the expanding Universe as it “rolls down” must be accompanied by the production of a large number of massive particles and antiparticles of various kinds, whose annihilation plays the role of the Big Bang. We also discuss the fundamental nature of Newton’ gravitational constant G _N .