Related papers: The Equivalence Principle as a Probe for Higher Di…
Consider a proposed model of the universe with $\hbar$ much greater than its well-known value of $10^{-34} Js$. In this model universe, very large objects can show quantum behaviors. In a scenario with large extra dimensions, $\hbar$ can…
General relativity poses serious problems for counterfactual propositions peculiar to it as a physical theory. Because these problems arise solely from the dynamical nature of spacetime geometry, they are shared by all schools of thought on…
It is pointed out that if we allow for the possibility of a multilayered universe, it is possible to maintain exact supersymmetry and arrange, in principle, for the vanishing of the cosmological constant. Superpartner(s) of a known particle…
The different roles and natures of spacetime appearing in a quantum field theory and in classical physics are analyzed implying that a quantum theory of gravitation is not necessarily a quantum theory of curved spacetime. Developing an…
The hypothesis of a discrete fabric of the universe--the "Planck scale"--is always on stage, since it solves mathematical and conceptual problems in the infinitely small. However, it clashes with special relativity, which is designed for…
If gravity is asymptotically safe, operators will exhibit anomalous scaling at the ultraviolet fixed point in a way that makes the theory effectively two-dimensional. A number of independent lines of evidence, based on different approaches…
We consider a preferred-frame bimetric theory in which the scalar gravitational field both influences the metric and has direct dynamical effects. A modified version ("v2") is built, by assuming now a locally-isotropic dilation of…
We discuss what we take to be three possible misconceptions in the foundations of general relativity, relating to: (a) the interpretation of the weak equivalence principle and the relationship between gravity and inertia; (b) the connection…
We discuss the possible existence of new long-range forces mediated by spin-1 or spin-0 particles. They would add their effects to those of gravity, and could lead to apparent violations of the Equivalence Principle. Informations on the…
Point particles fall freely along geodesics; strings do not. In string theory all probes of spacetime structure, including photons, are extended objects and therefore always subject to tidal forces. We illustrate how string theory modifies…
The concepts of complementarity and entanglement are considered with respect to their significance in and beyond physics. A formally generalized, weak version of quantum theory, more general than ordinary quantum theory of material systems,…
The gravitational effect of vacuum polarization in space exterior to a particle in (2+1)-dimensional Einstein theory is investigated. In the weak field limit this gravitational field corresponds to an inverse square law of gravitational…
General Relativity in three or more dimensions can be obtained by taking the limit $\omega\rightarrow\infty$ in the Brans-Dicke theory. In two dimensions General Relativity is an unacceptable theory. We show that the two-dimensional closest…
We analyze the dynamics of the Sun-Earth-Moon system in the context of a particular class of theories of gravity where curvature and matter are nonminimally coupled (NMC). These theories can potentially violate the Equivalence Principle as…
It is generally assumed that any discrepancy between an object's inertial and gravitational masses, leading to a violation of the equivalence principle, arises from the nature of its internal constituents and their interactions. We show…
It has been recently argued that higher dimensional gravity theories may manifest themselves not only at short microscopic distances but also at large cosmological scales. We study the constraints that cosmic microwave background…
We highlight the fact that the lack of scale invariance in the gravitational field equations of General Relativity results from the underlying assumption that the appropriate scale for the gravitational force should be linked to the atomic…
In grand unified theories with large numbers of fields, renormalization effects significantly modify the scale at which quantum gravity becomes strong. This in turn can modify the boundary conditions for coupling constant unification, if…
Cascading gravity is an explicit realization of the idea of degravitation, where gravity behaves as a high-pass filter. This could explain why a large cosmological constant does not backreact as much as anticipated from standard General…
Many theories beyond the Standard Model involve an extra U(1) gauge group. The resulting gauge boson U, in general mixed with the Z and the photon, may be massless or very light, and very weakly coupled. It may be viewed as a generalized…