[Paper Review] Einstein's Geometrical Versus Feynman's Quantum-Field Approaches to Gravity Physics: Testing by Modern Multimessenger Astronomy

Yu. V. Baryshev|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jan 27, 2017

Cosmology and Gravitation Theories212 references4 citations

TL;DR

This paper compares Einstein’s geometric general relativity (GRT) with Feynman’s quantum field gravitation theory (QFGT), arguing that QFGT—based on Poincaré symmetry, localizable energy-momentum, and spin-2/spin-0 gravitational fields—offers a consistent quantum framework that resolves key conceptual tensions in GRT. It demonstrates that modern multimessenger astronomy, including gravitational waves and black hole imaging, can test QFGT’s predictions, such as scalar gravitational radiation and non-black hole compact objects.

ABSTRACT

Modern multimessenger astronomy delivers unique opportunity for performing crucial observations that allow for testing the physics of the gravitational interaction. These tests include detection of gravitational waves by advanced LIGO-Virgo antennas, Event Horizon Telescope observations of central relativistic compact objects (RCO) in active galactic nuclei (AGN), X-ray spectroscopic observations of Fe K line in AGN, Galactic X-ray sources measurement of masses and radiuses of neutron stars, quark stars, and other RCO. A very important task of observational cosmology is to perform large surveys of galactic distances independent on cosmological redshifts for testing the nature of the Hubble law and peculiar velocities. Forthcoming multimessenger astronomy, using such facilities as advanced LIGO-Virgo, Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), ALMA, WALLABY, JWST, EUCLID, and THESEUS, can elucidate the relation between Einstein's geometrical and Feynman's quantum-field approaches to gravity physics and deliver a new possibilities for unification of gravitation with other fundamental quantum physical interactions.

Motivation & Objective

• To evaluate the conceptual and observational viability of Feynman’s quantum-field gravitation theory (QFGT) as an alternative to Einstein’s geometric general relativity (GRT).
• To identify testable predictions of QFGT that differ from GRT, particularly regarding the nature of gravitational field energy and the existence of scalar gravitational fields.
• To explore how modern multimessenger astronomy—using LIGO-Virgo, EHT, JWST, and EUCLID—can test the quantum vs. geometric nature of gravity.
• To propose a field gravity fractal cosmological model (FGF) in QFGT that reinterprets Hubble’s law as a global quantum gravitational redshift, avoiding expanding space.

Proposed method

• Formal derivation of QFGT from the principle of stationary action, using a symmetric second-rank tensor potential with 10 degrees of freedom, reduced to 6 via gauge invariance and conservation of the energy-momentum tensor (EMT).
• Identification of the trace of the matter EMT as the source of a dynamical spin-0 scalar field, distinct from the spin-2 tensor field in GRT.
• Application of post-Newtonian (PN) approximation to derive equations of motion, including Poincaré force and acceleration terms arising from the composite spin-2 + spin-0 potential.
• Use of the Lagrangian formalism to derive field equations and energy-momentum tensor for the gravitational field, ensuring localizability and positive energy density.
• Construction of a field gravity fractal (FGF) cosmological model based on non-expanding Minkowski spacetime with dynamical matter and chemical evolution.
• Comparison of GRT and QFGT predictions for classical relativistic effects (e.g., pericenter shift, time delay, Lense-Thirring) and new quantum effects (e.g., scalar gravitational radiation, self-gravitating gas configurations).

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can the energy-momentum of the gravitational field be consistently localized in QFGT, resolving a key problem in GRT?
• RQ2 Does the existence of a spin-0 scalar field in QFGT lead to observable deviations from GRT in strong-field gravity, such as in neutron star or black hole systems?
• RQ3 Can multimessenger observations—gravitational waves, X-ray spectra, black hole shadows—distinguish between GRT and QFGT predictions?
• RQ4 Is the observed Hubble-Lemaître law explainable as a global quantum gravitational redshift in a non-expanding Minkowski spacetime, as proposed in the FGF model?
• RQ5 Do the post-Newtonian corrections in QFGT, arising from the gravitational field’s energy density, produce measurable effects in solar system or binary pulsar systems?

Key findings

• QFGT provides a consistent quantum field theory framework for gravity based on Poincaré symmetry, ensuring localizable energy-momentum and positive energy density for gravitational waves.
• The trace of the matter energy-momentum tensor generates a dynamical spin-0 scalar field in QFGT, which is absent in GRT and could be tested via scalar gravitational radiation.
• QFGT reproduces all classical relativistic gravity effects (e.g., pericenter shift, time delay, Lense-Thirring) but includes new predictions such as Poincaré force and translational motion of rotating bodies.
• The field gravity fractal (FGF) model in QFGT explains the linear redshift-distance relation in the local universe as a global quantum gravitational redshift, without requiring expanding space.
• Gravitational wave detections by advanced LIGO-Virgo could test the existence of scalar gravitational radiation, a key prediction of QFGT not present in GRT.
• QFGT allows for the existence of relativistic compact objects (RCOs) without event horizons, offering an alternative to black holes that may be tested via EHT observations of accretion disks and relativistic jets.