Comment on the paper: H.-E. Hwang, P. Han, Theoretical analysis for surface tilt and translation detection based on speckle photography in the Fresnel domain, Opt. Commun. 282 (2009) 351-354

In a recent paper [H.-E. Hwang, P. Han, Opt. Commun. 282 (2009) 351] a speckle based metrology system is proposed which it is claimed provides significant advantages over existing systems. In this paper, we show that the discussion presented in [H.-E. Hwang, P. Han, Opt. Commun. 282 (2009) 351] is deficient, and that several of the statements made are incorrect and/or misleading.     

Neutrino Oscillations in Exotic Geometries and the Equivalence Principle Violation

Taking into account the violation of the equivalence principle, we analyze the propagation of neutrinos in the gravitational field generated by wormholes. The analysis is performed for massive and massless neutrinos. By using the constraints on the (negative) mass of wormholes, which is of the order of stellar-substellar masses, we determine constraints on f which characterizes the degree of violation of the equivalence principle.     

Generalized Uncertainty Principle in a Simple Varying Speed of Light Model

In this paperwewill derive a generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) in a simple varying speed of light (VSL) model. First we will show that VSL is an immediate consequence of GUP. Then, within the framework of a simple VSL model, we will show that GUP can be expressed as a function of cosmological scale factor. This expression gives two main results: uncertainties in position and momentum are actually cosmological models dependent and these uncertainties depend on mass and momentum of the particle under consideration. The relationship between matter content of the Universe and the values of uncertainties in early stages of the evolution of the Universe will be discussed in a mini-superspace approach.     

Pseudo-schwarzschild spherical accretion as a classical black hole analogue

We demonstrate that a spherical accretion onto astrophysical black holes, under the influence of Newtonian or various post-Newtonian pseudo-Schwarzschild gravitational potentials, may constitute a concrete example of classical analogue gravity naturally found in the Universe. We analytically calculate the corresponding analogue Hawking temperature as a function of the minimum number of physical parameters governing the accretion flow. We study both the polytropic and the isothermal accretion. We show that unlike in a general relativistic spherical accretion, analogue white hole solutions can never be obtained in such post-Newtonian systems. We also show that an isothermal spherical accretion is a remarkably simple example in which the only one information–the temperature of the fluid, is sufficient to completely describe an analogue gravity system. For both types of accretion, the analogue Hawking temperature may become higher than the usual Hawking temperature. However, the analogue Hawking temperature for accreting astrophysical black holes is considerably lower compared with the temperature of the accreting fluid.     

Relativistic Brownian Motion and Gravity as an Eikonal Approximation to a Quantum Evolution Equation

We solve the problem of formulating Brownian motion in a relativistically covariant framework in 3+1 dimensions. We obtain covariant Fokker–Planck equations with (for the isotropic case) a differential operator of invariant d’Alembert form. Treating the spacelike and timelike fluctuations separately in order to maintain the covariance property, we show that it is essential to take into account the analytic continuation of “unphysical” fluctuations.     

To Believe or Not Believe in the 4-Potential,That’s a Question. The Electric Helmholtz–Mikhailov Effect and its Magnetic Analog

Helmholtz electrically induced extra mass inside a charged hollow sphere, recently evidenced by Mikhailov, is analogous to Machs inertial mass. Existence of a corresponding magnetically induced extra mass in an electron flying around an autistic magnet is derived. The overall electro-magnetic effect can be covariantly expressed.     

A Cosmological Model of Holographic Brane Gravity

A cosmological scenario with two branes (A and B) moving in a 5-dimensional bulk is considered. As in the case of ecpyrotic and born-again braneworld models it is possible that the branes collide. The energy-momentum tensor is taken to describe a perfect barotropic fluid on the A-brane and a phenomenological time-dependent cosmological constant on the B-brane. The A-brane is identified with our Universe and its cosmological evolution in the approximation of a homogeneous and isotropic brane is analysed. The dynamics of the radion (a scalar field on the brane) contains information about the proper distance between the branes. It is demonstrated that the deSitter type solutions are obtained for late time evolution of the braneworld and accelerative behaviour is anticipated at the present time.     

Testing Gravity on Astrophysical Scales

We summarize a series of observational tests of the law of gravity on large astrophysical scales. These tests account for testing both the Poisson equation (inverse square law) using weak lensing and the Einstein equivalence principle through the test of the constancy of the constants of Nature. We emphasize the need to test general relativity on cosmological scales in light of the cosmological constant problem and of recent observational claims concerning the variation of fine structure constant.