[Paper Review] Does matter differ from vacuum?

Christoph Schiller|ArXiv.org|Oct 28, 1996

Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories34 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper argues that at Planck-scale energies, matter and vacuum are fundamentally indistinguishable, using the Compton wavelength and Schwarzschild radius to challenge the classical notions of point particles, space-time continuity, and exact symmetries. It concludes that Lorentz, gauge, and discrete symmetries are not precisely realized in nature, and that vacuum, matter, and radiation become equivalent at high energies, with implications for unification and supersymmetry.

ABSTRACT

A structured collection of thought provoking conclusions about space and time is given. Using only the Compton wavelength lambda = hbar / m c and the Schwarzschild radius r_s = 2 G m / c^2, it is argued that neither the continuity of space-time nor the concepts of space-point, instant, or point particle have experimental backing at high energies. It is then deduced that Lorentz, gauge, and discrete symmetries are not precisely fulfilled in nature. In the same way, using a simple and new Gedankenexperiment, it is found that at Planck energies, vacuum is fundamentally indistinguishable from radiation and from matter. Some consequences for supersymmetry, duality, and unification are presented.

Motivation & Objective

• To investigate whether matter and vacuum are fundamentally distinct at the Planck scale.
• To challenge the classical concepts of point particles, space-time continuity, and absolute instants using quantum and gravitational length scales.
• To assess the validity of Lorentz, gauge, and discrete symmetries in nature at high energies.
• To explore the implications of this indistinguishability for supersymmetry, duality, and unification theories.
• To propose a Gedankenexperiment demonstrating the equivalence of vacuum, matter, and radiation at Planck energies.

Proposed method

• Uses the Compton wavelength λ = ℏ/(m c) to probe quantum effects at high energies.
• Applies the Schwarzschild radius r_s = 2 G m / c² to analyze gravitational effects at the same scale.
• Combines these two scales to argue against the existence of point-like structures in space-time.
• Constructs a thought experiment (Gedankenexperiment) to compare vacuum, matter, and radiation at Planck energy.
• Derives consequences for fundamental symmetries by analyzing the breakdown of classical space-time structure.
• Uses dimensional analysis and theoretical reasoning to infer that vacuum and matter become physically indistinguishable at Planck-scale energies.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can matter and vacuum be distinguished at Planck-scale energies?
• RQ2 Do the concepts of point particles and continuous space-time have experimental support at high energies?
• RQ3 Are Lorentz, gauge, and discrete symmetries exactly preserved in nature?
• RQ4 What are the implications of vacuum-matter equivalence for supersymmetry and duality?
• RQ5 How do the Compton wavelength and Schwarzschild radius jointly constrain the structure of space-time at quantum gravity scales?

Key findings

• At Planck energies, vacuum is fundamentally indistinguishable from radiation and from matter.
• The classical notions of space-point, instant, and point particle lack experimental support at high energies.
• Lorentz, gauge, and discrete symmetries are not precisely fulfilled in nature due to quantum gravitational effects.
• The Compton wavelength and Schwarzschild radius jointly imply a breakdown of space-time continuity at the Planck scale.
• The equivalence of vacuum, matter, and radiation at high energies suggests a deep unification at the quantum gravity level.
• The Gedankenexperiment demonstrates that no observable distinction exists between vacuum, matter, and radiation at Planck-scale energies.