2015/02/14 by Christian Corda · 3 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Geophysics and Sensor Technology #Quantum and Classical Electrodynamics #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #gr-qc
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.aop.2015.02.021
published as Ann. Phys. 355, 360 (2015) · 9 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Annals of Physics
arxiv created 2015/02/14 · openalex publication_date 2015/02/20 · arxiv updated 2015/03/18 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A historical experiment by Kündig on the transverse Doppler shift in a rotating system measured with the Mössbauer effect has been recently first re-analyzed and then replied [1,2]. The results have shown that a correct re-processing of Kündig's experimental data gives a deviation of a relative redshift between emission and absorption resonant lines from the prediction due to relativistic dilatation of time, which, at first-order in \fracv2c2, gives a redshift (∇ E)/(E)≃-(1)/(2)\fracv2c2 where v is the tangential velocity of the absorber of resonant radiationa and c is the velocity of light in vacuum. Data re-processing gave (∇ E)/(E)≃-k\fracv2c2 with k=0.596±0.006. Subsequent new experimental results [2] have shown a redshift with k=0.68±0.03 instead. Using Einstein Equivalence Principle on the equivalence between the gravitational "force" and the pseudo-force experienced by an observer in a rotating frame of reference, here we re-analyze the theoretical framework of Mössbauer rotor experiments directly in the rotating frame through a general relativistic treatment. We show that previous analyses missed an important effect of clock synchronization and that the correct general relativistic prevision in the rotating frame gives k≃(2)/(3) in perfect agreement with the new experimental results. Such an effect of clock synchronization has been missed in various papers in the literature with some subsequent claim of invalidity of relativity theory and/or some attempts to explain the experimental results through "exotic" effects. Our general relativistic interpretation shows, instead, that the new experimental results of the Mössbauer rotor experiment are a new, strong and independent, proof of general relativity. Finally, we discuss an analogy with the use of general relativity in Global Positioning Systems.