Advances in Fundamental Physics

The double nature of material particles, i.e., their wave and corpuscular characteristics, is usually considered incomprehensible, as it cannot be represented visually. It is proposed to the student, in introductory courses, as a fact justified by quantum interference experiments for which, however, no further analysis is possible. On this note, we propose a description of the wave function in terms of a simple electrical analogy, which reproduces at least some of its essential properties. Our aim is to provide a cognitive representation of an analogical type: starting from a classical context (electrical circuits) and introducing in an appropriate way the notions of “wave” and “particle”, we show how typically quantum properties such as delocalization and entanglement emerge in a natural, understandable, and intuitive way. Full article

In one of our previous papers, we performed a comparative analysis of the experimental and theoretical cross-sections for the excitation of atomic hydrogen by electrons. We found that the theoretical ratio of the cross-section σ_2s of the excitation of the state 2s to the cross-section σ_2p of the excitation of the state 2p was systematically higher than the corresponding experimental ratio by about 20% (far beyond the experimental error margins). We showed that this discrepancy can be due to the presence of the Second Flavor of Hydrogen Atoms (SFHA) in the experimental gas and that the share of the SFHA in the mixture, required for removing this discrepancy, was about the same as the share of the usual hydrogen atoms. The theory behind the SFHA was based on the standard quantum mechanics—on the second solution of the Dirac equation for hydrogen atoms—and on the experimental fact that the charge distribution inside the proton has the peak at the center of the proton; the term “flavor” was used by the analogy with flavors of quarks. In the present paper, we used the same guiding principles, as employed in that previous study, for the comparative analysis of the experimental and theoretical cross-sections for the excitation of molecular hydrogen by electrons. We found that presumably the most sophisticated calculations, using the convergent close-coupling method involving 491 states, very significantly underestimate the corresponding experimental cross-sections for the two lowest stable triplet states. We showed that if in some hydrogen molecules one or both atoms would be the SFHA, then the above very significant discrepancy could be eliminated. We estimated that it would take such unusual hydrogen molecules to be represented in the experimental gas by the share of about 0.26. This is just by about 40% smaller than the share 0.45 of the SFHA deduced in our previous analysis of the experiment on the electron impact excitation of hydrogen atoms (rather than hydrogen molecules). It should be emphasized that from the theoretical point of view, the share of the unusual hydrogen molecules in any experimental gas and the share of the unusual hydrogen atoms (SFHA) in any experimental gas should not be expected to coincide (it would be the comparison of “apples to oranges”, rather than “apples to apples”). In addition, given the roughness of the above estimates, we can state that the results of the present paper reinforce the main conclusion of our previous papers of the very significant share of the SFHA in the experimental hydrogen gases. Thus, the experiments on the electron impact excitation of hydrogen molecules are the fourth type of atomic experiments that proved the existence of the SFHA. Full article

For the excitation of the n = 2 states of hydrogen atoms due to electron impact, we compared the experimental and theoretical ratios of the cross-sections σ_2s/σ_2p. We found this theoretical ratio to be systematically higher than the corresponding experimental ratio by about 20%—far beyond the experimental error margins. We suggest that this discrepancy can be explained by the presence of the Second Flavor of Hydrogen Atoms (SFHA) in the experimental hydrogen gas. The explanation is based on the fact that, in the experiments, the cross-section σ_2s was determined by using the quenching technique—by applying an electric field that mixed the 2s and 2p states, followed by the emission of the Lyman-alpha line from the 2p state. However, the SFHA only had the s-states, so the quenching technique would not count the excitation of the SFHA in the 2s state and, thus, lead to the underestimation of the cross-section σ_2s. We estimates the share of the SFHA in the experimental hydrogen gas required for eliminating the above discrepancy and found this share to be about the same as the share of the usual hydrogen atoms. Thus, our results constitute the third proof from atomic experiments that the SFHA does exist, the first proof being related to the experimental distribution of the linear momentum in the ground state of hydrogen atoms, and the second proof being related to the experimental cross-section of charge exchange between hydrogen atoms and low-energy protons. Full article

We utilize relativistic quantum mechanics to develop general quantum field-theoretic foundations suitable for understanding, analyzing, and designing generic quantum antennas for potential use in secure quantum communication systems and other applications. Quantum antennas are approached here as abstract source systems capable of producing what we dub “quantum radiation.” We work from within a generic relativistic framework, whereby the quantum antenna system is modeled in terms of a fundamental quantum spacetime field. After developing a framework explaining how quantum radiation can be understood using the methods of perturbative relativistic quantum field theory (QFT), we investigate in depth the problem of quantum radiation by a controlled abstract source functions. We illustrate the theory in the case of the neutral Klein-Gordon linear quantum antenna, outlining general methods for the construction of the Green’s function of a source—receiver quantum antenna system, the latter being useful for the computation of various candidate angular quantum radiation directivity and gain patterns analogous to the corresponding concepts in classical antenna theory. We anticipate that the proposed formalism may be extended to deal with a large spectrum of other possible controlled emission types for quantum communications applications, including, for example, the production of scalar, fermionic, and bosonic particles, where each could be massless or massive. Therefore, our goal is to extend the idea of antenna beyond electromagnetic waves, where now our proposed QFT-based concept of a quantum antenna system could be used to explore scenarios of controlled radiation of any type of relativistic particles, i.e., effectively transcending the well-known case of photonic systems through the deployment of novel non-standard quantum information transmission carriers such as massive photons, spin-$1/2$ particles, gravitons, antiparticles, higher spin particles, and so on. Full article

We analyze Molecular Hydrogen Ions (MHIs) formed by collisions of low-energy protons with the Second Flavor of Hydrogen Atoms SFHA, whose existence was previously proven by two kinds of atomic experiments and also evidenced by two kinds of astrophysical observations. We find that the resulting MHIs would lack a significant number of terms compared to the MHIs formed by collisions of low-energy protons with the usual hydrogen atoms. We show that, in this situation, the radiative transition between the terms of such MHIs of the lowest quantum numbers would be between the terms 5fσ and 4dσ. We calculate the position of the edge of the corresponding molecular band and find it to be at the frequency 14,700 cm⁻¹ or equivalently at the wavelength of 680 nm, which belongs to the visible range. It should be easier to observe this band compared to the spectral bands that are completely beyond the visible range. We emphasize that these results open up another avenue for finding an additional experimental proof of the existence of the SFHA. Namely, if the SFHA is present in gas (in addition to the usual hydrogen atoms), on which a beam of low-energy protons is incident, then the relative intensity of the band, corresponding to the radiative transitions between the terms 5fσ and 4dσ of the MHIs, would be enhanced compared to the absence of the SFHA. Full article

Vector-valued electromagnetic waves for which the integral of the electric field over time is zero at every location in space were characterized as “usual” by Bessonov several decades ago. Otherwise, they were called “strange”. Recently, Popov and Vinogradov studied conditions leading to usual waves using a spectral representation. Their main result is that pulses of finite energy in free space are usual and, consequently, bipolar. However, they do not exclude the possibility of the existence of finite-energy strange pulses, although quite exotic, in a vacuum. Our emphasis in this article is to examine what the relevant necessary and sufficient conditions are for usual and strange waves, particularly for scalar pulses. Illustrative examples are provided, including spherical symmetric collapsing pulses, propagation-invariant, and the so-called almost undistorted spatiotemporally localized waves. Finally, source-generated strange electromagnetic fields are reported. Full article

In this work, we present a Big Rip scenario within the framework of the generalized Brans-Dicke (GBD) theory. In the GBD theory, we consider an evolving BD parameter along with a self-interacting potential. An anisotropic background is considered to have a more general view of the cosmic expansion. The GBD theory with a cosmological constant is presented as an effective cosmic fluid within general relativity which favours a phantom field dominated phase. The model parameters are constrained so that the model provides reasonable estimates of the Hubble parameter and other recent observational aspects at the present epoch. The dynamical aspects of the BD parameter and the BD scalar field have been analysed. It is found that the present model witnesses a finite time doomsday at a time of $t_{BR}\simeq 16.14\mathrm{Gyr}$, and for this scenario, the model requires a large negative value of the Brans-Dicke parameter. Full article

Previously published analytical results for the effects of a high-frequency laser field on hydrogen Rydberg atoms demonstrated that the unperturbed elliptical orbit of the Rydberg electron, generally is engaged simultaneously in the precession of the orbital plane about the direction of the laser field and in the precession within the orbital plane. These results were obtained while disregarding relativistic effects. In the present paper, we analyze the relativistic effect for hydrogenic Rydberg atoms or ions in a high-frequency linearly- or circularly-polarized laser field, the effect being an additional precession of the electron orbit in its own plane. For the linearly-polarized laser field, the general case, where the electron orbit is not perpendicular to the direction of the laser field, we showed that the precession of the electron orbit within its plane can vanish at some critical polar angle θ_c of the orbital plane. We calculated analytically the dependence of the critical angle on the angular momentum of the electron and on the parameters of the laser field. Finally, for the particular situation, where the electron orbit is perpendicular to the direction of the laser field, we demonstrated that the relativistic precession and the precession due to the laser field occur in the opposite directions. As a result, the combined effect of these two kinds of the precession is smaller than the absolute value of each of them. We showed that by varying the ratio of the laser field strength F to the square of the laser field frequency ω, one can control the precession frequency of the electron orbit and even make the precession vanish, so that the elliptical orbit of the electron would become stationary. This is a counterintuitive result. Full article

A new $\alpha$-emitting ²¹⁴U has been recently observed experimentally. This opens the window to theoretically investigate the ground-state properties of the lightest known even–even neutron deficient ^214,216,218U isotopes and to examine $\alpha$-particle clustering around the shell closure. The decay half-lives are calculated within the preformed cluster-decay model (PCM). To obtain the $\alpha$-daughter interaction potential, the RMF densities are folded with the newly developed R3Y and the well-known M3Y NN potentials for comparison. The alpha preformation probability $\left(P_{\alpha }\right)$ is calculated from the analytic formula of Deng and Zhang. The WKB approximation is employed for the calculation of the transmission probability. The individual binding energies (BE) for the participating nuclei are estimated from the relativistic mean-field (RMF) formalism and those from the finite range droplet model (FRDM) as well as WS3 mass tables. In addition to $Z=84$, the so-called abnormal enhancement region, i.e., $84\le Z\le 90$ and $N<126$, is normalised by an appropriately fitted neck-parameter $\Delta R$. On the other hand, the discrepancy sets in due to the shell effect at (and around) the proton magic number $Z=82$ and 84, and thus a higher scaling factor ranging from ${10}^{-8}$–${10}^{-5}$ is required. Additionally, in contrast with the experimental binding energy data, large deviations of about 5–10 MeV are evident in the RMF formalism despite the use of different parameter sets. An accurate prediction of $\alpha$-decay half-lives requires a Q-value that is in proximity with the experimental data. In addition, other microscopic frameworks besides RMF could be more reliable for the mass region under study. $\alpha$-particle clustering is largely influenced by the shell effect. Full article

An alternative to conventional spacetime is proposed and rigorously formulated for nonlocal continuum field theories through the deployment of a fiber bundle-based superspace extension method. We develop, in increasing complexity, the concept of nonlocality starting from general considerations, going through spatial dispersion, and ending up with a broad formulation that unveils the link between general topology and nonlocality in generic material media. It is shown that nonlocality naturally leads to a Banach (vector) bundle structure serving as an enlarged space (superspace) inside which physical processes, such as the electromagnetic ones, take place. The added structures, essentially fibered spaces, model the topological microdomains of physics-based nonlocality and provide a fine-grained geometrical picture of field–matter interactions in nonlocal metamaterials. We utilize standard techniques in the theory of smooth manifolds to construct the Banach bundle structure by paying careful attention to the relevant physics. The electromagnetic response tensor is then reformulated as a superspace bundle homomorphism and the various tools needed to proceed from the local topology of microdomains to global domains are developed. For concreteness and simplicity, our presentations of both the fundamental theory and the examples given to illustrate the mathematics all emphasize the case of electromagnetic field theory, but the superspace formalism developed here is quite general and can be easily extended to other types of nonlocal continuum field theories. An application to fundamental theory is given, which consists of utilizing the proposed superspace theory of nonlocal metamaterials in order to explain why nonlocal electromagnetic materials often require additional boundary conditions or extra input from microscopic theory relative to local electromagnetism, where in the latter case such extra input is not needed. Real-life case studies quantitatively illustrating the microdomain structure in nonlocal semiconductors are provided. Moreover, in a series of connected appendices, we outline a new broad view of the emerging field of nonlocal electromagnetism in material domains, which, together with the main superspace formalism introduced in the main text, may be considered a new unified general introduction to the physics and methods of nonlocal metamaterials. Full article

Many totally different kinds of astrophysical observations demonstrated that, in our universe, there exists a preferred direction. Specifically, from observations in a wide range of frequencies, the alignment of various preferred directions in different data sets was found. Moreover, the observed Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) quadrupole, CMB octopole, radio and optical polarizations from distant sources also indicate the same preferred direction. While this hints at a gravitational pull from the “outside”, the observational data from the Plank satellite showed that the bulk flow velocity was relatively small: much smaller than was initially thought. In the present paper we propose a configuration where two three-dimensional universes (one of which is ours) are embedded in a four-dimensional space and rotate about their barycenter in such a way that the centrifugal force nearly (but not exactly) compensates their mutual gravitational pull. This would explain not only the existence of a preferred direction for each of the three-dimensional universes (the direction to the other universe), but also the fact that the bulk flow velocity, observed in our universe, is relatively small. We point out that this configuration could also explain the perplexing features of the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), previously called Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), recorded by various detection systems—the features presented in the latest official report by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Thus, the proposed configuration of the two rotating, parallel three-dimensional universes seems to explain both the variety of astrophysical observations and (perhaps) the observed features of the UAP. Full article

Measurements of cross-sections of charge exchange between hydrogen atoms and low energy protons (down to the energy ~10 eV) revealed a noticeable discrepancy with previous theories. The experimental cross-sections were systematically slightly higher—beyond the error margins—than the theoretical predictions. In the present paper, we study whether this discrepancy can be eliminated or at least reduced by using the Second Flavor of Hydrogen Atoms (SFHA) in calculations. We show that for the SFHA, the corresponding cross-section is noticeably larger than for the usual hydrogen atoms. We demonstrate that the allowance for the SFHA does bring the theoretical cross-sections in a noticeably better agreement with the corresponding experiments within the experimental error margins. This seems to constitute yet another evidence from atomic experiments that the SFHA is present within the mixture of hydrogen atoms. In combination with the first corresponding piece of evidence from the analysis of atomic experiments (concerning the distribution of the linear momentum in the ground state of hydrogen atoms), as well as with the astrophysical evidence from two different kinds of observations (the anomalous absorption of the redshifted 21 cm radio line from the early universe and the smoother distribution of dark matter than that predicted by the standard cosmology), the results of the present paper reinforce the status of the SFHA as the candidate for dark matter, or at least for a part of it. Full article

The effect of atomic and molecular microfield dynamics on spectral line shapes is under consideration. This problem is treated in the framework of the Frequency Fluctuation Model (FFM). For the first time, the FFM is tested for the broadening of a spectral line by neutral particles. The usage of the FFM allows one to derive simple analytical expressions and perform fast calculations of the intensity profile. The obtained results are compared with Chen and Takeo’s theory (CT), which is in good agreement with experimental data. It is demonstrated that, for moderate values of temperature and density, the FFM successfully describes the effect of the microfield dynamics on a spectral line shape. Full article

The “line-by-line” method is used for the evaluation of thermal emission of the standard atmosphere toward the Earth. Accounting for thermodynamic equilibrium of the radiation field with air molecules and considering the atmosphere as a weakly nonuniform layer, we reduce the emission at a given frequency for this layer containing molecules of various types to that of a uniform layer, which is characterized by a certain radiative temperature $T_{\omega }$, an optical thickness $u_{\omega }$ and an opaque factor $g\left(u_{\omega }\right)$. Radiative parameters of molecules are taken from the HITRAN database, and an altitude of cloud location is taken from the energetic balance of the Earth. Within the framework of this model, we calculate the parameters of the greenhouse effect, including the partial radiative fluxes due to different greenhouse components in the frequency range up to 2600 cm${}^{-1}$. In addition, the derivations are determined from the radiative flux from the atmosphere to the Earth over the concentration logarithm of greenhouse components. From this, it follows that the observed rate of growth of the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide accounts for a contribution of approximately $30\%$ to the observed increase in the global atmosphere during recent decades. If we assume that the basic part of the greenhouse effect is determined by an increase in the concentration $c\left(H_{2}O\right)$ of water atmospheric molecules, it is approximately $dlnc(H_{2}O/dt)=0.003$ yr${}^{-1}$. This corresponds to an increase in the average moisture of the atmosphere of 0.2%/yr. Full article

E.G. Bessonov suggested the time integrated strength of an electric field ${{\displaystyle \int }}_{-\infty }^{\infty }\mathit{E}\left(\mathit{r},t\right)dt={\mathit{S}}_{\mathit{E}}\left(\mathit{r}\right)$ as a parameter to classify electromagnetic (EM) waves. Since then, this parameter has been studied and used in many works on microwave and laser physics, especially when it comes to unipolar, bipolar and few cycle EM pulses. In this paper, it is shown that ${\mathit{S}}_{\mathit{E}}\left(\mathit{r}\right)=0$ is an identity for a wide class of free space pulses of finite total energy. This property can be useful in various applications of few cycle radiation and as a benchmark in EM and QED computations. Full article

This article reviews the electrodynamic force law of Wilhelm Weber and its importance in electromagnetic theory. An introduction is given to Weber’s force and it is shown how it has been utilised in the literature to explain electromagnetism as well as phenomena in other disciplines of physics, where the force law has connections to the nuclear force, gravity, cosmology, inertia and quantum mechanics. Further, criticism of Weber’s force is reviewed and common misconceptions addressed and rectified. It is found that, while the theory is not without criticism and has much room for improvement, within the limitations of its validity, it is equally as successful as Maxwell’s theory in predicting certain phenomena. Moreover, it is discussed how Weber offers a valid alternative explanation of electromagnetic phenomena which can enrich and complement the field perspective of electromagnetism through a particle based approach. Full article

In the review, based on the analysis of the results published in the works of domestic and foreign researchers, a variant of an unconventional interpretation of the photoluminescence of dispersive media in the energy range of 0.5–3 eV is proposed. The interpretation meets the requirements of the energy conservation law for photons and axions participating in the photoluminescence process. The participation of axions in the process is consistent with Primakov’s hypothesis. The role of nonradiative relaxation at the stage of axion decay is noted. The axion lifetimes are estimated for a number of dispersive media. Full article

Neutron stars are the densest known objects in the universe and an ideal laboratory for the strange physics of super-condensed matter. Theoretical studies in connection with recent observational data of isolated neutron stars, as well as binary neutron stars systems, offer an excellent opportunity to provide robust solutions on the dense nuclear problem. In the present work, we review recent studies concerning the applications of various theoretical nuclear models on a few recent observations of binary neutron stars or neutron-star–black-hole systems. In particular, using a simple and well-established model, we parametrize the stiffness of the equation of state with the help of the speed of sound. Moreover, in comparison to the recent observations of two events by LIGO/VIRGO collaboration, GW170817 and GW190425, we suggest possible robust constraints. We also concentrate our theoretical study on the resent observation of a compact object with mass ∼$2.{59}_{-0.09}^{+0.08}{M}_{\odot }$ (GW190814 event), as a component of a system where the main companion was a black hole with mass ∼$23M_{\odot }$. There is scientific debate concerning the identification of the low mass component, as it falls into the neutron-star–black-hole mass gap. This is an important issue since understanding the nature of GW190814 event will offer rich information concerning the upper limit of the speed of sound in dense matter and the possible phase transition into other degrees of freedom. We systematically study the tidal deformability of a possible high-mass candidate existing as an individual star or as a component in a binary neutron star system. Finally, we provide some applications of equations of state of hot, dense nuclear matter in hot neutron stars (nonrotating and rapidly rotating with the Kepler frequency neutron stars), protoneutron stars, and binary neutron star merger remnants. Full article

The interpretation of optical spectra requires thorough comprehension of quantum mechanics, especially understanding the concept of angular momentum operators. Suppose now that a transformation from laboratory-fixed to molecule-attached coordinates, by invoking the correspondence principle, induces reversed angular momentum operator identities. However, the foundations of quantum mechanics and the mathematical implementation of specific symmetries assert that reversal of motion or time reversal includes complex conjugation as part of anti-unitary operation. Quantum theory contraindicates sign changes of the fundamental angular momentum algebra. Reversed angular momentum sign changes are of a heuristic nature and are actually not needed in analysis of diatomic spectra. This review addresses sustenance of usual angular momentum theory, including presentation of straightforward proofs leading to falsification of the occurrence of reversed angular momentum identities. This review also summarizes aspects of a consistent implementation of quantum mechanics for spectroscopy with selected diatomic molecules of interest in astrophysics and in engineering applications. Full article