[Paper Review] Gravity and the quantum vacuum inertia hypothesis. 1. Formalized groundwork for extension to gravity

Alfonso Rueda, B. M. Haisch+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Aug 9, 2001

Relativity and Gravitational Theory9 references3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes that inertia arises from the interaction of elementary particles with the electromagnetic quantum vacuum, specifically through the Rindler flux—a relativistic radiation pressure effect in accelerating frames. By showing that this quantum vacuum inertia mechanism naturally reproduces the equivalence of inertial and gravitational mass, it provides a physical basis for the weak equivalence principle within general relativity.

ABSTRACT

It has been shown [1,2] that the electromagnetic quantum vacuum makes a contribution to the inertial mass, $m_i$, in the sense that at least part of the inertial force of opposition to acceleration, or inertia reaction force, springs from the electromagnetic quantum vacuum. As experienced in a Rindler constant acceleration frame the electromagnetic quantum vacuum mainfests an energy-momentum flux which we call the Rindler flux (RF). The RF, and its relative, Unruh-Davies radiation, both stem from event-horizon effects in accelerating reference frames. The force of radiation pressure produced by the RF proves to be proportional to the acceleration of the reference frame, which leads to the hypothesis that at least part of the inertia of an object should be due to the interaction of its quarks and electrons with the RF. We demonstrate that this quantum vacuum inertia hypothesis is consistent with general relativity (GR) and that it answers a fundamental question left open within GR, viz. is there a physical mechanism that generates the reaction force known as weight when a specific non-geodesic motion is imposed on an object? The quantum vacuum inertia hypothesis provides such a mechanism, since by assuming the Einstein principle of local Lorentz-invariance (LLI), we can immediately show that the same RF arises due to curved spacetime geometry as for acceleration in flat spactime. Thus the previously derived expression for the inertial mass contribution from the electromagnetic quantum vacuum field is exactly equal to the corresponding contribution to the gravitational mass, $m_g$. Therefore, within the electromagnetic quantum vacuum viewpoint proposed in [1,2], the Newtonian weak equivalence principle, $m_i=m_g$, ensues in a straightforward manner.

Motivation & Objective

• To establish a physical mechanism for inertia beyond geometric postulates in general relativity.
• To resolve the unresolved question of what generates the reaction force (weight) when an object is held in non-geodesic motion.
• To demonstrate that the quantum vacuum contribution to inertial mass equals its contribution to gravitational mass, thereby justifying the weak equivalence principle.

Proposed method

• Formalizing the Rindler flux (RF) as an energy-momentum flux in accelerating reference frames.
• Applying the Einstein principle of local Lorentz invariance to extend the RF from flat spacetime to curved spacetime.
• Deriving the radiation pressure force from the RF and showing its proportionality to acceleration.
• Using the RF to model the inertial reaction force as arising from quantum vacuum interactions.
• Comparing the quantum vacuum contribution to inertial mass with that to gravitational mass under the same physical assumptions.
• Demonstrating that the equality of these contributions leads directly to the weak equivalence principle.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What physical mechanism generates the reaction force known as weight when a body is prevented from following a geodesic path in spacetime?
• RQ2 How does the electromagnetic quantum vacuum contribute to the origin of inertia in accelerating frames?
• RQ3 Can the equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass be derived from a quantum vacuum-based mechanism rather than postulated?
• RQ4 Does the Rindler flux in accelerating frames have a direct analog in curved spacetime due to gravity?
• RQ5 Is the quantum vacuum's role in inertia consistent with the principles of general relativity?

Key findings

• The Rindler flux, arising from event-horizon effects in accelerating frames, produces a radiation pressure force proportional to acceleration.
• This force provides a physical origin for the inertial reaction force, explaining inertia as a result of interaction with the quantum vacuum.
• Under the assumption of local Lorentz invariance, the same Rindler flux arises in curved spacetime as in flat spacetime, linking acceleration and gravity.
• The contribution of the electromagnetic quantum vacuum to inertial mass is exactly equal to its contribution to gravitational mass.
• The equality of these contributions leads directly to the Newtonian weak equivalence principle, $ m_i = m_g $, without additional postulates.
• The quantum vacuum inertia hypothesis is fully consistent with general relativity and provides a mechanism for the otherwise unexplained reaction force in non-geodesic motion.