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Neutrino currents in the absolute spacetime: Relating the refractive index of the aether to the OPERA excess velocity

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R. Tomaschitz

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The superluminal neutrino velocity measured by the OPERA experiment is explained in a non-relativistic spacetime conception. Spacetime is viewed as a permeable medium of wave propagation. The neutrino wave equation is coupled to a permeability tensor, like electromagnetic fields in dielectric media. The inertial frame in which this tensor is isotropic defines a distinguished frame of reference, the rest frame of the aether. The dispersion relation of the spinorial wave modes gives rise to a superluminal group velocity of the energy flux. The Gordon decomposition of spinor currents in a refractive and dispersive spacetime is performed with finite as well as zero rest mass. The convective and spin components of the superluminal neutrino current are related to the permeability tensor. The refractive index of the aether depends on the neutrino energy, and is inferred in the 10 to 50 GeV range from the measured excess velocity. Implications of the superluminal speed of signal transfer regarding relativity principles and causality are discussed.


PACS

14.60.Lm Ordinary neutrinos (nue, numu, nutau)

98.80.Jk Mathematical and relativistic aspects of cosmology

95.30.Sf Relativity and gravitation

Subjects

Gravitation and cosmology

Particle physics and field theory

Astrophysics and astroparticles

Dates

Issue 3 (February 2012)

Received 12 October 2011, accepted for publication 2 January 2012

Published 6 February 2012



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