Spin In Gravity - Is It Possible To Give An Experimental Basis To Torsion?


Book Description

The introduction of spin is believed to be a necessary tool if one wishes to quantize general relativity. Then the main problem is to see if the introduction of spin generalizing the general relativity from a geometric point of view, i.e. through the concept of torsion, can be experimentally verified.The reader can find in this book both theoretical and experimental arguments which show the necessity for the introduction of spin, and then of torsion, in gravity. In fact, torsion constitutes the more natural and simple way to introduce spin in general relativity. For that reason it is of fundamental importance to see if there are some experiences that indicate — if not directly, then at least indirectly — the presence of torsion. This book presents a discussion on experiments with a polarized-mass torsion pendulum, the search for galactic dark matter interacting with a spin pendulum, a description of a space-based method for determination of the gravitational constant and space-based measurements of spin in gravity, as well as a discussion on theoretical arguments, for instance the nature of torsion and nonmetricity, the viability of gravitational theories with spin-torsion and spin-spin interaction, many-dimensional gravitational theories with torsion, spinors on curved spaces, the spinors in real space-time, etc.We know that until now there has been no evidence for torsion, but this fact cannot prevent us from considering in some detail this implement of research that seems to be important from both a geometrical and a physical point of view.




The Gravitational Constant: Generalized Gravitational Theories and Experiments


Book Description

An up-to-date description of progress and current problems with the gravitational constant, both in terms of generalized gravitational theories and experiments either in the laboratory, using Casimir force measurements, or in space at solar system distances and in cosmological observations. Contributions cover different aspects of the state and prediction of unified theories of the physical interactions including gravitation as a cardinal link, the role of experimental gravitation and observational cosmology in discriminating between them, the problem of the precise measurement and stability of fundamental physical constants in space and time, and the gravitational constant in particular. Recent advances discussed include unified and scalar-tensor theories, theories in diverse dimensions and their observational windows, gravitational experiments in space, rotational and torsional effects in gravity, basic problems in cosmology, early universe as an arena for testing unified models, and big bang nucleosynthesis.




Geometric Algebra and Applications to Physics


Book Description

Bringing geometric algebra to the mainstream of physics pedagogy, Geometric Algebra and Applications to Physics not only presents geometric algebra as a discipline within mathematical physics, but the book also shows how geometric algebra can be applied to numerous fundamental problems in physics, especially in experimental situations. This




Advances in the Interplay Between Quantum and Gravity Physics


Book Description

In this XVII Course of the International School of Cosmology and Gravitation devoted to "ADVANCES IN THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN QUANTUM AND GRAVITY PHYSICS" we have considered different aspects of the influence of gravity on quantum systems. In order to achieve this aim, in many lectures, seminars and discussions we have strengthened the interplay between gravity and quantum systems starting from the situation in the early universe based on astrophysical observations, up to the earthly based experiments with atom interferometry for probing the structure of space-time. Thus we have had timely lectures on the quantum field and horizon of a black hole including reviews of the problem of black holes thermodynamics and entropy, quantum information, quantum black holes, quantum evaporation and Hawking radiation, recent advances in stockastic gravity. We have also discussed quantum fluctuations in inflationary universe, quantum effects and reheating after inflation, and superplanckian energies in Hawking radiation. In this regard the subject of spinors in purely affine space-time and Dirac matter according to Weyl in the generalized theory of gravitation were developed . The dualism between space-time and matter has been deeply analyzed in order to see why, for general relativity, this is an obstacle for quantization of the theory. Also canonical Gravity and Mach's principle, torsion and curvature as commutator for Quantum Gravity and Dirac Geometry of real space-time were analysed, together with the problem of 5-Dimensional Projective Unified Field theory and Multidimensional Gravity and Cosmology.




Classical and Quantum Nonlocality


Book Description

This book provides an up-to-date understanding of the progress and current problems of the interplay of nonlocality in the classical theories of gravitation and quantum theory. These problems lie on the border between general relativity and quantum physics, including quantum gravity.




Classical And Quantum Nonlocality: Proceedings Of The 16th Course Of The International School Of Cosmology And Gravitation


Book Description

This book provides an up-to-date understanding of the progress and current problems of the interplay of nonlocality in the classical theories of gravitation and quantum theory. These problems lie on the border between general relativity and quantum physics, including quantum gravity.




Epioptics-11 - Proceedings Of The 49th Course Of The International School Of Solid State Physics


Book Description

The book is aimed at assessing the capabilities of state-of-the-art optical techniques in elucidating the fundamental electronic and structural properties of semiconductor and metal surfaces, interfaces, thin layers, and layer structures, and assessing the usefulness of these techniques for optimization of high quality multilayer samples through feedback control during materials growth and processing. Particular emphasis is dedicated to the theory of nonlinear optics and to dynamical processes through the use of pump-probe techniques together with the search for new optical sources. Some new applications of Scanning Probe Microscopy to Material Science and biological samples, dried and in vivo, with the use of different laser sources are also presented. Materials of particular interest are silicon, semiconductor-metal interfaces, semiconductor and magnetic multi-layers and III-V compound semiconductors.




Superconducting Materials for High Energy Colliders


Book Description

The ELOISATRON (ELN) Project aims at a future proton supercollider with 100-500 TeV energy per beam and 1034-1036 cm-2s-1 luminosity. While the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is being implemented at CERN, it is very timely to study the feasibility of the next generation of hadron colliders at the extreme limits of energy and luminosity. In this respect, the achievement of extremely high magnetic fields and the production of accelerating rf cavities with very low losses are a crucial point in the actual construction design of such a collider. The search for superconducting materials with suitable properties to be used in this field has gained a new impulse after the discovery of the so-called high temperature superconducting compounds (HTSCs) with superconducting critical temperatures higher than 100 K. Besides the critical temperatures, the transport performances of this class of compounds are still very far from allowing applications in extremely high energy colliders. On the other hand, in the last few years, the technological and scientific improvements obtained for both the HTSCs and the conventional superconducting materials are very promising.This book reviews the recent status of R&D on the rising generation of superconducting materials for accelerator magnets and cavities, and discusses novel aspects and ideas in this domain.




Innovative Detectors For Supercolliders, Proceedings Of The 42nd Workshop Of The Infn Eloisatron Project


Book Description

The possible upgrade of LHC or a future generation of colliders at the extreme limits of energy and luminosity will require detectors based on very advanced technological solutions to fully exploit the physics opportunities offered. Major steps must be taken to design and realize devices that are able not only to handle very high rates but also to cope with the very harsh radiation environment without suffering any performance degradation.This book reviews the present status, current limits and recent developments in detection techniques and related aspects (simulation, signal acquisition, tracking, particle identification, etc.). Novel ideas in this domain are discussed with emphasis on the directions in which improvements in proven techniques are desired.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings® (ISTP® / ISI Proceedings)• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)• CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences




Epioptics-8


Book Description

This volume contains the proceedings of the 8th Epioptics Workshop, held at the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture, Erice, Sicily. The book assesses the capabilities of state-of-the-art optical techniques in elucidating the fundamental electronic and structural properties of semiconductor and metal surfaces, interfaces, thin layers, and layer structures. The contributions consider the usefulness of these techniques for optimization of high quality multilayer samples through feedback control during materials growth and processing. Particular emphasis is placed on the theory of non-linear optics and on dynamical processes through the use of pump-probe techniques together with the search for new optical sources. Some new applications of Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy to material science and biological samples, dried and in vivo, with the use of different laser sources are also included. Contents: Ab-Initio Theories for the Calculation of Excited States Properties (O Pulci et al.); Theory of Surface Second Harmonic Generation (W L Mochin & J A Maytorena); Lifetime of Excited States (B Hellsing); Raman Scattering as an Epioptic Probe for Low Dimensional Structures (E Speiser et al.); Molecular Assembly at Metal Surfaces Studied by Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy (D S Martin); Surface Preparation of Cu(110) for Ambient Environments (G E Isted et al.); Metal Nanofilms Studied with Infrared Spectroscopy (G Fahsold et al.); Optical Properties of Materials in an Undergraduate Physics Curriculum (J R Blanco); and other papers. Readership: Researchers, graduate and postgraduate students in physics and materials science."