Strong/nuclear force in the dynamic medium of reference (DMR) theory. Nuclear deflection of light, nuclear time delay of light, and proposed experiment

The theory of the dynamic medium of reference has already been presented in several articles [Pignard, Phys. Essays 32, 422 (2019); 33, 395 (2020); 34, 61 (2021); 34, 279 (2021)], and in particular in Pignard, Phys. Essays 32, 422 (2019). The article [Pignard, Phys. Essays 34, 279 (2021)] gives an explanation and mathematical developments of the gravitational acceleration from atomic nuclei of a massive body. General relativity considers a massive body, like the Earth or the Sun, globally, macroscopically, simply as an object of mass M (which curves space‐time). However, when one goes into details, this mass M is made up of atoms which are themselves mainly made up of nuclei of nucleons (if we neglect the mass of electrons in comparison of that of the nucleus). Thus, it is mainly the nuclei of a massive body that create the force of gravity! The dynamic medium of reference theory determines the gravitational acceleration microscopically by taking into account all the atomic nuclei that make up a massive body [Pignard, Phys. Essays 32, 422 (2019)]. This creates a strong link between gravity and the nuclear domain. This article goes further with the description of a model of the atomic nucleus. This makes it possible to establish that the strong force or nuclear force, which ensures the cohesion of the nucleus, is due to the strong acceleration of the flux of the medium which is a vector average of the flux of gravitons. This gives an expression of the nuclear force similar to the force of gravity but with a constant K ≈ 1031 m s−2, much higher than the gravitational constant G. This article shows that the functioning, the mechanism of the nucleus, makes it possible to explain the nuclear force and also to find the gravitational acceleration. From there, it is deduced that the photons are deflected by the strong acceleration due to an atom nucleus. They are also slowed down by an atom nucleus which creates a delay in their travel time which we call the nuclear time delay of light. Finally, an experiment is proposed to verify the phenomenon of nuclear deflection of light and the nuclear time delay of light.

β-Delayed γ Emissions of 26P and Its Mirror Asymmetry

The study of the origin of asymmetries in mirror β decay is extremely important to understand the fundamental nuclear force and the nuclear structure. The experiment was performed at the National Laboratory of Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL) to measure the β-delayed γ rays of 26P by silicon array and Clover-type high-purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors. Combining with results from the β decay of 26P and its mirror nucleus 26Na, the mirror asymmetry parameter δ ( ≡ft+/ft−− 1) was determined to be 46(13)% for the transition feeding the first excited state in the daughter nucleus. Our independent results support the conclusion that the large mirror asymmetry is close to the proton halo structure in 26P.

May we unify relativity with quantum physics? Could evolutionary biology help in proposing transitionary stages of quanta to the observable world? Maybe a piece of evidence to the everything theory…

The four fundamental forces that govern the universe, i.e. gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force, explain the macro (first one) and the micro world in an independent way. However, up to the present day, no consensus has been reached to bring gravitational and subatomic forces into a single theory. This manuscript seeks to propose, through theoretical analysis, an evolutionary process (like in biology) from quanta to the formation of physical bodies, that may help to link relativity with quantum physics.

Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics Constraints on the High Density Matter Equation of State

(1) This review has been written in memory of Steven Moszkowski who unexpectedly passed away in December 2020. It has been inspired by our many years of discussions. Steven’s enthusiasm, drive and determination to understand atomic nuclei in simple terms of basic laws of physics was infectious. He sought the fundamental origin of nuclear forces in free space, and their saturation and modification in nuclear medium. His untimely departure left our job unfinished but his legacy lives on. (2) Focusing on the nuclear force acting in nuclear matter of astrophysical interest and its equation of state (EoS), we take several typical snapshots of evolution of the theory of nuclear forces. We start from original ideas in the 1930s moving through to its overwhelming diversity today. The development is supported by modern observational and terrestrial data and their inference in the multimessenger era, as well as by novel mathematical techniques and computer power. (3) We find that, despite the admirable effort both in theory and measurement, we are facing multiple models dependent on a large number of variable correlated parameters which cannot be constrained by data, which are not yet accurate, nor sensitive enough, to identify the theory closest to reality. The role of microphysics in the theories is severely limited or neglected, mostly deemed to be too difficult to tackle. (4) Taking the EoS of high-density matter as an example, we propose to develop models, based, as much as currently possible, on the microphysics of the nuclear force, with a minimal set of parameters, chosen under clear physical guidance. Still somewhat phenomenological, such models could pave the way to realistic predictions, not tracing the measurement, but leading it.

The evolution of the universe in asymmetric cosmic time

The Cosmic Time Hypothesis (CTH) presented in this paper is a purely axiomatic theory. In contrast to today's standard model of cosmology, the ɅCDM model, it does not contain empirical parameters such as the cosmological constant Ʌ, nor does it contain sub-theories such as the inflation theory. The CTH was developed solely on the basis of the general theory of relativity (GRT), aiming for the greatest possible simplicity. The simplest cosmological model permitted by ART is the Einstein-de Sitter model. It is the basis for solving some of the fundamental problems of cosmology that concern us today. First of all, the most important results of the CTH: It solves one of the biggest problems of cosmology the problem of the cosmological constant (Ʌ)-by removing the relation between and the vacuum energy density ɛv (Λ=0, ɛv > 0). According to the CTH, the vacuum energy density ɛv is not negative and constant, as previously assumed, but positive and time-dependent (ɛv ̴ t -2). ɛv is part of the total energy density (Ɛ) of the universe and is contained in the energy-momentum tensor of Einstein's field equations. Cosmology is thus freed from unnecessary ballast, i.e. a free parameter (= natural constant) is omitted (Ʌ = 0). Conclusion: There is no "dark energy"! According to the CTH, the numerical value of the vacuum energy density v is smaller by a factor of ≈10-122 than the value calculated from quantum field theory and is thus consistent with observation. The measurement data obtained from observations of SNla supernovae, which suggest a currently accelerated expansion of the universe, result - if interpreted from the point of view of the CTH - in a decelerated expansion, as required by the Einstein-de Sitter universe. Dark matter could also possibly not exist, because the KZH demands that the "gravitational constant" is time-dependent and becomes larger the further the observed objects are spatially and thus also temporally distant from us. Gravitationally bound local systems, e.g. Earth - Moon or Sun - Earth, expand according to the same law as the universe. This explains why Hubble's law also applies within very small groups of galaxies, as observations show. The CTH requires that the strongest force (strong nuclear force) and the weakest (gravitational force) at Planck time (tp ≈10-43 seconds after the "big bang") when all forces of nature are supposed to have been united in a single super force, were of equal magnitude and had the same range. According to the KZH, the product of the strength and range of the gravitational force is constant, i.e. independent of time, and is identical to the product of the strength and range of the strong nuclear force. At Planck time, the universe had the size of an elementary particle (Rp = rE ≈10-15 m). This value also corresponds to the range of the strong nuclear force (Yukawa radius) and the Planck length at Planck time. The CTH provides a possible explanation for Mach's first and second principles. It solves some old problems of the big bang theory in a simple and natural way. The problem of the horizon, flatness, galaxy formation and the age of the world. The inflation theory thus becomes superfluous. • The CTH provides the theoretical basis for the theory of Earth expansion • In Cosmic Time, there was no Big Bang. The universe is infinitely old. • Unlike other cosmological models, the CTH does not require defined "initial conditions" because there was no beginning. • The CTH explains why the cosmic expansion is permanently in an unstable state of equilibrium, which is necessary for a long-term flat (Euclidean), evolutionarily developing universe.

Countering the Threat of Nuclear Terrorism Arising from Malicious Insiders

Nuclear theft from malicious insiders is a significant threat to Pakistan’s nuclear weapons arsenal. Pakistan is a member of the Convention of the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), which is an international agreement that adheres to the protection of nuclear materials and the recovery of stolen nuclear materials. However, this agreement does not specifically take into account the risk of security breaches arising from malicious insiders due to Pakistan’s rapidly growing nuclear arsenal. The purpose of this paper is to examine the heightened risk of insider threats in conjunction with Pakistan’s increasing nuclear force structure. The first section of the paper examines the history of the development of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme and discusses Pakistan’s current nuclear force structure. The second section examines the international and domestic policies that Pakistan follows to address the issue of insider threats to Pakistan’s nuclear facilities. The final section proposes two policy alternatives to address Pakistan’s growing insider threat risks and outlines how the Design Basis Threat assessment is the most effective solution for Pakistan’s growing insider threat.

Measurement of the neutron charge radius and the role of its constituents

The neutron is a cornerstone in our depiction of the visible universe. Despite the neutron zero-net electric charge, the asymmetric distribution of the positively- (up) and negatively-charged (down) quarks, a result of the complex quark-gluon dynamics, lead to a negative value for its squared charge radius, $$\langle {r}_{{\rm{n}}}^{2}\rangle$$ ⟨ r n 2 ⟩ . The precise measurement of the neutron’s charge radius thus emerges as an essential part of unraveling its structure. Here we report on a $$\langle {r}_{{\rm{n}}}^{2}\rangle$$ ⟨ r n 2 ⟩ measurement, based on the extraction of the neutron electric form factor, $${G}_{{\rm{E}}}^{{\rm{n}}}$$ G E n , at low four-momentum transfer squared (Q2) by exploiting the long known connection between the N → Δ quadrupole transitions and the neutron electric form factor. Our result, $$\langle {r}_{{\rm{n}}}^{2}\rangle =-0.110\pm 0.008\,({{\rm{fm}}}^{2})$$ ⟨ r n 2 ⟩ = − 0.110 ± 0.008 ( fm 2 ) , addresses long standing unresolved discrepancies in the $$\langle {r}_{{\rm{n}}}^{2}\rangle$$ ⟨ r n 2 ⟩ determination. The dynamics of the strong nuclear force can be viewed through the precise picture of the neutron’s constituent distributions that result into the non-zero $$\langle {r}_{{\rm{n}}}^{2}\rangle$$ ⟨ r n 2 ⟩ value.

Could NATO (still) defend Europe?

NATO has been ‘adapting’ for a decade and has made significant progress in meeting the coming challenges to Europe defence. However, power is relative and the nature of future war across the multi-domains of air, sea, land, cyber, space, information, and knowledge, allied to the accelerating speed of war, also reveals profound Allied weaknesses. Whilst the Americans are increasingly overstretched trying to cover the expanding space and technology of warfare, Europeans are decidedly under-stretched, unable, or unwilling to meet the demands of defence, too often seeing defence as a budget to be raided for domestic political concerns. Ultimately, NATO is in the business of deterrence, for if it fails defence seems unlikely, short of a rapid descent into all-out nuclear war. Europeans must thus understand that NATO is essentially a European institution, and it can only fulfil its mission as a defensive Alliance if they give the Alliance the means and tools to maintain a minimum but credible conventional force and nuclear force deterrent.

Weak nuclear force

This paper presents a critical historical review of the two main approaches to providing an understanding of the nature of the weak nuclear force via the Standard Model and the Generation Model of particle physics. The Standard Model is generally considered to be incomplete in the sense that it provides little understanding of several empirical observations: the Generation Model was developed to overcome several dubious assumptions made during the development of the Standard Model. This paper indicates that the Generation Model provides a more consistent understanding of the weak nuclear force than the earlier Standard Model.