Theoretical aspects of the equivalence principle

DOI10.1088/0264-9381/29/18/184001zbMATH Open1251.83010arXiv1202.6311OpenAlexW3103125343MaRDI QIDQ2919902FDOQ2919902

Authors: Thibault Damour 

Publication date: 22 October 2012

Published in: Classical and Quantum Gravity (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We review several theoretical aspects of the Equivalence Principle (EP). We emphasize the unsatisfactory fact that the EP maintains the absolute character of the coupling constants of physics while General Relativity, and its generalizations (Kaluza-Klein,..., String Theory), suggest that all absolute structures should be replaced by dynamical entities. We discuss the EP-violation phenomenology of dilaton-like models, which is likely to be dominated by the linear superposition of two effects: a signal proportional to the nuclear Coulomb energy, related to the variation of the fine-structure constant, and a signal proportional to the surface nuclear binding energy, related to the variation of the light quark masses. We recall the various theoretical arguments (including a recently proposed anthropic argument) suggesting that the EP be violated at a small, but not unmeasurably small level. This motivates the need for improved tests of the EP. These tests are probing new territories in physics that are related to deep, and mysterious, issues in fundamental physics.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1202.6311

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Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) General questions in astronomy and astrophysics (85A04) Strong interaction, including quantum chromodynamics (81V05) Einstein's equations (general structure, canonical formalism, Cauchy problems) (83C05) Kaluza-Klein and other higher-dimensional theories (83E15) String and superstring theories in gravitational theory (83E30) Observational and experimental questions in relativity and gravitational theory (83B05) Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to relativity and gravitational theory (83-02)

Cited In (14)

• Weyl transformation: A dynamical degree of freedom in the light of Dirac’s Large Number hypothesis
• A generalized equivalence principle
• The equivalence principle as a symmetry
• Gravity-induced geometric spin Hall effect of freely falling quantum particle
• Contrastive analysis of two energy gradients in the ultra-strong magnetic fields
• Metric and connections in theories of gravity. The role of equivalence principle
• Equivalence principles, spacetime structure and the cosmic connection
• Symmetric twin paradox for free-falling frames: argument against the relativistic time dilation?
• Renewed relevance of new tests of the equivalence principle involving intrinsic properties of particles and antiparticles
• Physical quantities and spatial parameters in the complex octonion curved space
• On the cosmic convergence mechanism of the massless dilaton
• Gravitational mass and energy gradient in the ultra-strong magnetic fields
• Gravitational coupling, dynamical changes of units and the cosmological constant problem
• Title not available (Why is that?)

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