846 research outputs found
Fine-structure constant variability, equivalence principle and cosmology
It has been widely believed that variability of the fine-structure constant
alpha would imply detectable violations of the weak equivalence principle. This
belief is not justified in general. It is put to rest here in the context of
the general framework for alpha variability [J. D. Bekenstein, Phys. Rev. D 25,
1527 (1982)] in which the exponent of a scalar field plays the role of the
permittivity and inverse permeability of the vacuum. The coupling of particles
to the scalar field is necessarily such that the anomalous force acting on a
charged particle by virtue of its mass's dependence on the scalar field is
cancelled by terms modifying the usual Coulomb force. As a consequence a
particle's acceleration in external fields depends only on its charge to mass
ratio, in accordance with the principle. And the center of mass acceleration of
a composite object can be proved to be independent of the object's internal
constitution, as the weak equivalence principle requires. Likewise the widely
employed assumption that the Coulomb energy of matter is the principal source
of the scalar field proves wrong; Coulomb energy effectively cancels out in the
continuum description of the scalar field's dynamics. This cancellation
resolves a cosmological conundrum: with Coulomb energy as source of the scalar
field, the framework would predict a decrease of alpha with cosmological
expansion, whereas an increase is claimed to be observed. Because of the said
cancellation, magnetic energy of cosmological baryonic matter is the main
source of the scalar field. Consequently the expansion is accompanied by an
increase in alpha; for reasonable values of the framework's sole parameter,
this occurs at a rate consistent with the observers' claims.Comment: RevTeX-4, 22 pages, no figures, added a section on caveats as well as
several new references with discussion of them in body. To appear in Phys.
Rev.
Observable Effects of Scalar Fields and Varying Constants
We show by using the method of matched asymptotic expansions that a
sufficient condition can be derived which determines when a local experiment
will detect the cosmological variation of a scalar field which is driving the
spacetime variation of a supposed constant of Nature. We extend our earlier
analyses of this problem by including the possibility that the local region is
undergoing collapse inside a virialised structure, like a galaxy or galaxy
cluster. We show by direct calculation that the sufficient condition is met to
high precision in our own local region and we can therefore legitimately use
local observations to place constraints upon the variation of "constants" of
Nature on cosmological scales.Comment: Invited Festscrift Articl
A time-space varying speed of light and the Hubble Law in static Universe
We consider a hypothetical possibility of the variability of light velocity
with time and position in space which is derived from two natural postulates.
For the consistent consideration of such variability we generalize
translational transformations of the Theory of Relativity. The formulae of
transformations between two rest observers within one inertial system are
obtained. It is shown that equality of velocities of two particles is as
relative a statement as simultaneity of two events is. We obtain the expression
for the redshift of radiation of a rest source which formally reproduces the
Hubble Law. Possible experimental implications of the theory are discussed.Comment: 7 page
Dynamical System Approach to Cosmological Models with a Varying Speed of Light
Methods of dynamical systems have been used to study homogeneous and
isotropic cosmological models with a varying speed of light (VSL). We propose
two methods of reduction of dynamics to the form of planar Hamiltonian
dynamical systems for models with a time dependent equation of state. The
solutions are analyzed on two-dimensional phase space in the variables where is a function of a scale factor . Then we show how the
horizon problem may be solved on some evolutional paths. It is shown that the
models with negative curvature overcome the horizon and flatness problems. The
presented method of reduction can be adopted to the analysis of dynamics of the
universe with the general form of the equation of state .
This is demonstrated using as an example the dynamics of VSL models filled with
a non-interacting fluid. We demonstrate a new type of evolution near the
initial singularity caused by a varying speed of light. The singularity-free
oscillating universes are also admitted for positive cosmological constant. We
consider a quantum VSL FRW closed model with radiation and show that the
highest tunnelling rate occurs for a constant velocity of light if and . It is also proved that the considered class of
models is structurally unstable for the case of .Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, RevTeX4; final version to appear in PR
Seedling Establishment of Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens on Dredged Materials in Texas
Effects of fertilizer, elevation, and tidal inundation on seedling establishment of Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens were tested at a wave-protected sandy dredged material site, Galveston Bay, Texas. No seedlings that grew from sown seeds became established at elevations below 36 cm (msl) while the greatest number established in the upper tier. Seedlings of S. alterniflora were more numerous than S. patens in the upper and middle tiers. Naturally occurring seedlings of S. alterniflora, which apparently germinated from seeds produced on transplants in adjacent plots, established at all elevations of the site during winter. The average time of tidal inundation at a particular elevation was less during winter than spring. Thus, establishment of plants by seed at low intertidal elevations appears feasible only during low seasonal winter tides and with S. alterniflora. Fertilizers did not enhance growth, and high concentrations of fertilizer caused stress to some S. alterniflora seedlings
Variable-Speed-of-Light Cosmology from Brane World Scenario
We argue that the four-dimensional universe on the TeV brane of the
Randall-Sundrum scenario takes the bimetric structure of Clayton and Moffat,
with gravitons traveling faster than photons instead, while the radion varies
with time. We show that such brane world bimetric model can thereby solve the
flatness and the cosmological constant problems, provided the speed of a
graviton decreases to the present day value rapidly enough. The resolution of
other cosmological problems such as the horizon problem and the monopole
problem requires supplementation by inflation, which may be achieved by the
radion field provided the radion potential satisfies the slow-roll
approximation.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX, revised version to appear in Phys. Rev.
Recommended from our members
Development of the Radiation Stabilized Distributed Flux Burner, Phase II Final Report
This report covers progress made during Phase 2 of a three-phase DOE-sponsored project to develop and demonstrate the Radiation Stabilized Distributed Flux burner (also referred to as the Radiation Stabilized Burner, or RSB) for use in industrial watertube boilers and process heaters. The goal of the DOE-sponsored work is to demonstrate an industrial boiler burner with NOx emissions below 9 ppm and CO emissions below 50 ppm (corrected to 3% stack oxygen). To be commercially successful, these very low levels of NOx and CO must be achievable without significantly affecting other measures of burner performance such as reliability, turndown, and thermal efficiency. Phase 1 of the project demonstrated that sub-9 ppm NOx emissions and sub-50 ppm CO emissions (corrected to 3% oxygen) could be achieved with the RSB in a 3 million Btu/Hr laboratory boiler using several methods of NOx reduction. The RSB was also tested in a 60 million Btu/hr steam generator used by Chevron for Thermally Enhanced Oil Recovery (TEOR). In the larger scale tests, fuel staging was demonstrated, with the RSB consistently achieving sub-20 ppm NOx and as low as 10 ppm NOx. Large-scale steam generator tests also demonstrated that flue gas recirculation (FGR) provided a more predictable and reliable method of achieving sub-9 ppm NOx levels. Based on the results of tests at San Francisco Thermal and Chevron, the near-term approach selected by Alzeta for achieving low NOx is to use FGR. This decision was based on a number of factors, with the most important being that FGR has proved to be an easier approach to transfer to different facilities and boiler designs. In addition, staging has proved difficult to implement in a way that allows good combustion and emissions performance in a fully modulating system. In Phase 3 of the project, the RSB will be demonstrated as a very low emissions burner product suitable for continuous operation in a commercial installation. As such, the Phase 3 field demonstration will represent the first installation in which the RSB will be operated continuously with a sub-9 ppm guarantee
Comments on "Note on varying speed of light theories"
In a recent note Ellis criticizes varying speed of light theories on the
grounds of a number of foundational issues. His reflections provide us with an
opportunity to clarify some fundamental matters pertaining to these theories
Neutron Stars in a Varying Speed of Light Theory
We study neutron stars in a varying speed of light (VSL) theory of gravity in
which the local speed of light depends upon the value of a scalar field .
We find that the masses and radii of the stars are strongly dependent on the
strength of the coupling between and the matter field and that for
certain choices of coupling parameters, the maximum neutron star mass can be
arbitrarily small. We also discuss the phenomenon of cosmological evolution of
VSL stars (analogous to the gravitational evolution in scalar-tensor theories)
and we derive a relation showing how the fractional change in the energy of a
star is related to the change in the cosmological value of the scalar field.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures. Added solutions with a more realistic equation
of state. To be published in PR
Cosmic Numbers: A Physical Classification for Cosmological Models
We introduce the notion of the cosmic numbers of a cosmological model, and
discuss how they can be used to naturally classify models according to their
ability to solve some of the problems of the standard cosmological model.Comment: 3 pages, no figures. v2: Two references added, cosmetic changes.
Version to appear in Phys. Rev. D (Brief reports
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