[Paper Review] Ether theory of gravitation: why and how?

Mayeul Arminjon|ArXiv.org|Jan 7, 2004

Relativity and Gravitational Theory7 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a scalar ether theory of gravitation that treats gravity as a pressure force in a heterogeneous medium, preserving a preferred inertial frame and Lorentz symmetry breaking. It derives a complete theory with cosmological, electromagnetic, and quantum links, predicting internal-structure effects at the point-particle limit—violating the weak equivalence principle—while matching standard post-Newtonian effects on light and gravitational radiation.

ABSTRACT

Gravitation might make a preferred frame appear, and with it a clear space/time separation--the latter being, a priori, needed by quantum mechanics (QM) in curved space-time. Several models of gravitation with an ether are discussed: they assume metrical effects in an heterogeneous ether and/or a Lorentz-symmetry breaking. One scalar model, starting from a semi-heuristic view of gravity as a pressure force, is detailed. It has been developed to a complete theory including continuum dynamics, cosmology, and links with electromagnetism and QM. To test the theory, an asymptotic scheme of post-Newtonian approximation has been built. That version of the theory which is discussed here predicts an internal-structure effect, even at the point-particle limit. The same might happen also in general relativity (GR) in some gauges, if one would use a similar scheme. Adjusting the equations of planetary motion on an ephemeris leaves a residual difference with it; one should adjust the equations using primary observations. The same effects on light rays are predicted as with GR, and a similar energy loss applies to binary pulsars.

Motivation & Objective

• To develop a complete, self-consistent scalar ether theory of gravitation that reconciles gravity with quantum mechanics and electromagnetism.
• To address the incompatibility between general relativity’s lack of a preferred frame and quantum mechanics’ need for a preferred space/time separation.
• To test the theory against astrophysical and cosmological observations, particularly in celestial mechanics and gravitational wave emission.
• To explore the implications of a non-Newtonian point-particle limit, including potential violations of the weak equivalence principle.
• To establish a link between the scalar gravitational field and the Hamiltonian-wave correspondence in quantum theory.

Proposed method

• Formulates gravity as a pressure force in a scalar ether, leading to a metric with anisotropic spatial components and a preferred inertial frame.
• Derives a field equation for the scalar gravitational potential and couples it to continuum dynamics via a modified Newton’s second law in curved space-time.
• Constructs an asymptotic post-Newtonian approximation scheme to derive equations of motion for mass centers (EMMCs), enabling comparison with ephemerides.
• Applies the theory to spherical gravitational collapse, light ray deflection, and homogeneous cosmological models, predicting accelerated expansion.
• Links the scalar field to Maxwell’s equations in a gravitational field and derives the Klein-Gordon equation from wave mechanics, establishing a Hamiltonian-wave correspondence.
• Adapts the method to the Dirac equation, deriving a gravitational Dirac equation from classical Hamiltonian mechanics.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Can a scalar ether theory of gravitation be constructed that preserves a preferred inertial frame while reproducing standard relativistic effects?
• RQ2 Does the point-particle limit of this theory violate the weak equivalence principle due to internal structure effects, and how does this compare to general relativity?
• RQ3 How does the theory predict the dynamics of light rays and gravitational radiation, and can it match binary pulsar observations?
• RQ4 Can the scalar gravitational field be consistently linked to quantum mechanics through the Hamiltonian-wave correspondence and the Klein-Gordon equation?
• RQ5 Does the theory predict cosmic acceleration without introducing dark energy or additional parameters?

Key findings

• The theory predicts a violation of the weak equivalence principle at the point-particle limit due to internal-structure effects, which persist even when the body is treated as a point.
• The asymptotic post-Newtonian approximation scheme yields equations of motion that differ from standard EIH-like equations, with a residual mismatch when compared to solar system ephemerides.
• The theory predicts the same light deflection and gravitational wave energy loss as general relativity, particularly in the harmonic gauge, suggesting compatibility with binary pulsar data.
• Homogeneous cosmological models in the theory predict accelerated expansion of the universe without requiring dark energy or additional parameters.
• The theory predicts matter creation/destruction in time-varying gravitational fields, a novel physical effect not present in general relativity.
• A consistent link is established between the scalar gravitational field and the Klein-Gordon equation, and the method is extended to derive the Dirac equation from classical Hamiltonian mechanics in a gravitational field.