The spacetime attribute of matter

We propose that spacetime is fundamentally a property of matter, inseparable from it. This leads us to suggest that all properties of matter must be elevated to the same status as that of spacetime in quantum field theories of matter. We suggest a specific method for extending field theories to accomodate this, and point out how this leads to the evolution of fields through channels other than the spacetime channel.Comment: 6 pages, no figures, REVTe

An Update on Cosmological Anisotropy in Electromagnetic Propagation

We review evidence for a new phenomenon in the propagation of radio waves across the Universe, an anisotropic rotation of the plane of polarization not accounted for by conventional physics.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, LaTeX. Contributed to the Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on the Intersections of Particle and Nuclear Physics (Big Sky, Montana, 1997), to be published by the American Institute of Physics (Editor: T. W. Donnelly). For more information, please see http://www.cc.rochester.edu/college/rtc/Borge/aniso.htm

Propagation of a short laser pulse in a plasma

The propagation of an electromagnetic pulse in a plasma is studied for pulse durations that are comparable to the plasma period. When the carrier frequency of the incident pulse is much higher than the plasma frequency, the pulse propagates without distortion at its group speed. When the carrier frequency is comparable to the plasma frequency, the pulse is distorted and leaves behind it an electromagnetic wake.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, REVTeX. To be published in Physical Review E, vol. 56, December 1, 199

Approximate Analytic Solution for the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Wave Packets undergoing Arbitrary Dispersion

We apply expansion methods to obtain an approximate expression in terms of elementary functions for the space and time dependence of wave packets in a dispersive medium. The specific application to pulses in a cold plasma is considered in detail, and the explicit analytic formula that results is provided. When certain general initial conditions are satisfied, these expressions describe the packet evolution quite well. We conclude by employing the method to exhibit aspects of dispersive pulse propagation in a cold plasma, and suggest how predicted and experimental effects may be compared to improve the theoretical description of a medium's dispersive properties.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, RevTe

Indication of Anisotropy in Electromagnetic Propagation over Cosmological Distances

We report a systematic rotation of the plane of polarization of electromagnetic radiation propagating over cosmological distances. The effect is extracted independently from Faraday rotation, and found to be correlated with the angular positions and distances to the sources. Monte Carlo analysis yields probabilistic P-values of order 10^(-3) for this to occur as a fluctuation. A fit yields a birefringence scale of order 10^(25) meters. Dependence on redshift z rules out a local effect. Barring hidden systematic bias in the data, the correlation indicates a new cosmological effect.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, ReVTeX. For more information, see http://www.cc.rochester.edu/college/rtc/Borge/aniso.htm