[Paper Review] Weightlessness of photons: A quantum effect

Ari Brynjolfsson|arXiv (Cornell University)|Aug 17, 2004

Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics4 references4 citations

TL;DR

The paper proposes that photons are gravitationally weightless in a local reference frame due to a quantum mechanical reversal of gravitational redshift during propagation from the Sun to Earth, contradicting Einstein's equivalence principle for photons. This quantum effect, combined with plasma redshift, explains the observed solar Fraunhofer line redshift as plasma-induced rather than gravitational, challenging classical interpretations of gravitational redshift experiments and implying photons can escape 'black hole'-like regions.

ABSTRACT

Contrary to general belief, the Fraunhofer lines have been found to be plasma redshifted and not gravitationally redshifted, when observed on Earth. Quantum mechanical effects cause the photons' gravitational redshift to be reversed as the photons move from the Sun to the Earth. The designs of the experiments, which were thought to have proven the gravitational redshift of photons, are all in the domain of classical physics, and make it impossible to detect the reversal of the gravitational redshifts. The solar redshift experiments, however, are in the domain of quantum mechanics; and the reversal of the redshift is easily detected, when the plasma redshift is taken into account. The photons are found to be weightless relative to a local observer, but repelled relative to a distant observer. The weightlessness of the photons in the gravitational field relative to a local observer is inconsistent with Einstein's equivalence principle. This together with the plasma redshift has profound consequences for the cosmological perspectives. This article gives a theoretical explanation of the observed phenomena, proper interpretation of the many gravitational redshift experiments, and an understanding of how we missed observing the reversal of photons' gravitational redshift. The present analysis indicates that although the photons are weightless in a local system of reference, the experimental evidence indicates that quasi-static electromagnetic fields are not weightless, but adhere to the principle of equivalence.

Motivation & Objective

• To resolve the discrepancy between observed solar Fraunhofer line redshifts and predictions of classical general relativity.
• To explain why gravitational redshift experiments (e.g., Pound–Rebka) failed to detect a reversal of redshift in photons during transit.
• To reconcile the observed plasma redshift of solar photons with quantum mechanical principles, challenging classical interpretations of photon gravity.
• To re-evaluate the validity of the equivalence principle for photons, contrasting it with its success for massive particles and electromagnetic fields.
• To propose a cosmological model without dark energy or black holes, based on quantum-modified gravity and continuous matter regeneration near extreme gravitational limits.

Proposed method

• Analyzes the photon's energy and frequency evolution in gravitational fields using modified metric tensors in general relativity, incorporating quantum mechanical effects.
• Applies the Hamiltonian formalism to model photon energy changes in gravitational potential, distinguishing between local and distant observer frames.
• Introduces a quantum mechanically modified general theory of relativity (modified GTR) to explain the reversal of gravitational redshift during photon propagation.
• Contrasts classical experiments (e.g., Pound–Rebka) with solar redshift observations, showing that short flight times prevent redshift reversal detection in lab settings.
• Uses plasma redshift theory to explain the observed solar line shifts, attributing them to photon interaction with the solar corona rather than gravitational redshift.
• Evaluates the equivalence principle for electromagnetic fields, showing it holds for charged particles and fields but not for photons due to their quantum weightlessness.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 Why do solar Fraunhofer lines exhibit redshifts inconsistent with gravitational redshift predictions?
• RQ2 How can the gravitational redshift of photons be reversed during propagation from the Sun to Earth, and what physical mechanism enables this?
• RQ3 Why do classical experiments like Pound–Rebka fail to detect the reversal of gravitational redshift in photons?
• RQ4 Does the equivalence principle apply to photons, given their quantum weightlessness in a local gravitational field?
• RQ5 What are the cosmological implications of photon weightlessness and plasma redshift, particularly regarding black holes and the nature of the universe?

Key findings

• The gravitational redshift of photons emitted in the Sun's photosphere is reversed during transit to Earth due to a quantum mechanical effect, making photons appear weightless in a local reference frame.
• Solar Fraunhofer lines are plasma redshifted, not gravitationally redshifted, when observed on Earth, contradicting long-standing assumptions.
• Classical experiments such as those by Pound and Rebka Jr. cannot detect the reversal of gravitational redshift because the photon flight time (22.5 m height difference) is too short—minimum detectable height difference is ~700 m.
• Photons are repelled by gravity as seen by a distant observer, with a force equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to gravitational attraction, implying quantum weightlessness.
• The equivalence principle does not apply to photons, though it holds for electromagnetic fields of electrons and nuclei, indicating a fundamental distinction in how gravity couples to different forms of energy.
• The model eliminates the need for dark energy and black holes, suggesting matter can be continuously regenerated near extreme gravitational limits via photon-mediated processes, supporting a quasi-static, self-renewing universe.