If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of matter above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame, possibly related to the local rest frame of the expanding Universe) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to c , the speed of light). The real geometry of space-time will then be different from standard Lorentz invariance, and the Poincare relativity principle will be a local (in space and time), approximate sectorial property. It seems natural to assume that particles with critical speed in vacuum different from c are superluminal. We illustrate such a scenario using as an example a spinorial space-time where the modulus of the spinor, associated to the time variable, is the size of an expanding Universe. Several properties of superluminal particles, and of matter without a universal relativity principle, are discussed in view of experimental applications. If the vacuum rest frame is close to that suggested by the cosmic microwave background, experimental searches for superluminal particles on earth should mainly contemplate a laboratory speed range around 10E3 c , even for very high energy superluminal cosmic rays. The detectability of several consequences of the new scenario is briefly discussed.
Since some experiments have found superluminality, we assume that the particles in the universe are divided into three classes: the subluminal, luminal and superluminal particles by the speed of light, their energy-momenum relations are E2 = m2c4 + c2p2, E2 = c2p2, and E2 + m2c4 = c2p2, respectively. The Einstein's theory of relativity still holds and is consummated by the existence of superluminal particles, and the Lorentz symmetry of the spacetime is also not violated. There should have two sets of inertial reference systems: subluminal and superluminal reference systems. Two inertial refer…
Within an axiomatic framework of kinematics, we prove that the existence of faster than light particles is logically independent of Einstein's special theory of relativity. Consequently, it is consistent with the kinematics of special relativity that there might be faster than light particles.
This paper investigates the problem of a relativistic Dirac half integer spin free particle tunneling through a rectangular quantum-mechanical barrier. If the energy difference between the barrier and the particle is positive, and the barrier width is large enough, there is proof that the tunneling may be superluminal. For first spinor components of particle and antiparticle states, the tunneling is always superluminal regardless the barrier width. Conversely, the second spinor components of particle and antiparticle states may be either subluminal or superluminal depending on the barrier widt…
Lorentz symmetry has been tested at low energy with great accuracy, but its extrapolation to very high-energy phenomena is much less well established. We expect a possible breaking of Lorentz symmetry to be a very high energy and very short distance phenomenon, compatible with existing data. If textbook special relativity is only an approximate property of the equations describing a sector of matter above some critical distance scale, superluminal sectors of matter may exist related to new degrees of freedom not yet discovered experimentally. The new superluminal particles ("superbradyons") wo…
Although Lorentz symmetry has been tested at low energy with extremely good accuracy, its validity at very high energy is much less well established. If Lorentz symmetry violation (LSV) is energy-dependent (e.g. $\propto E^2$), it can be of order 1 at Planck scale and undetectable at GeV scale or below. Similarly, superluminal particles with positive mass and energy (superbradyons) can exist and be the ultimate building blocks of matter. We discuss a few cosmological consequences of such a scenario, as well as possible experimental tests.
The Poincaré relativity principle has been tested at low energy with great accuracy, but its extrapolation to very high-energy phenomena is much less well established. Lorentz symmetry can be broken at Planck scale due to the renormalization of gravity or to some deeper structure of matter: we expect such a breaking to be a very high energy and very short distance phenomenon. If textbook special relativity is only an approximate property of the equations describing a sector of matter above some critical distance scale, an absolute local frame (the "vacuum rest frame", VRF) can possibly be foun…
An evanescent wave is a non-propagating wave with an imaginary wave vector. In this study, we prove that these are solutions of the tachyon-like Klein Gordon equation, and that in the tunneling of ultrarelativistic half integer spin particles they describe superluminal states arising from interactions between a particle and barrier. These states decay as a particle emerges from the opposite side of a potential barrier, conserving the same initial energy but not necessarily the same mass. The obtained theory is applied to the neutrino, to explain flavor oscillations during free flight and deter…
We pinpoint how a subatomic particle with non-zero mass may attain, in principle, velocities faster-than-light by travelling in helical motion in the limit of very large momentum. This is an educated guess by virtue of the MINOS and OPERA experiments on eventual superluminal propagation of neutrinos.
If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of the excitations of vacuum above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to $c$ , the speed of light). The sectorial Lorentz symmetry may be only a low-energy limit, in the same way as the relation $ω$ (frequency) = $c_s$ (speed of sound) $k$ (wav…
While the OPERA experimental scrutiny is ongoing in the community, in the present article we construct a toy model of {\it extended Lorentz code} (ELC) of the uniform motion, which will be a well established consistent and unique theoretical framework to explain the apparent violations of the standard Lorentz code (SLC), the possible manifestations of which arise in a similar way in all particle sectors. We argue that in the ELC-framework the propagation of the superluminal particle, which implies the modified dispersion relation, could be consistent with causality. Furthermore, in this framew…
Recent experiments by OPERA with high energy neutrinos, as well as astrophysics observation data, may possibly prove violations of underlying principles of special relativity theory. This paper attempts to present an elementary modification of relativistic mechanics that is consistent both with the principles of mechanics and with Dirac's approach to derivation of relativistic quantum equations. Our proposed hyper-relativistic model is based on modified dispersion relations between energy and momentum of a particle. Predictions of the new theory significantly differ from the standard model, as…
If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of matter above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame, possibly related to the local rest frame of the expanding Universe) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to $c$ , the speed of light). Sectorial Lorentz invariance, reflected by the fact that all particles of a given dynamical sec…
The OPERA collaboration reported evidence for muonic neutrinos travelling faster than light in vacuum. In this paper, an extended relativity theory is proposed. We think all particles can be divided into three kinds: The first kind of particle is its velocity in the range of $0\leq v < c$, e.g. electron, atom, molecule and so on ($c$ is light velocity, i.e., the limit velocity of the first kind of particle). The second kind of particle is its velocity in the range of $0\leq v < c_{m1}$, e.g. photon ($c_{m1}$ is the limit velocity of the second kind of particle). The third kind of particle is i…
In the context of Stueckelberg's covariant symplectic mechanics, Horwitz and Aharonovich have proposed a simple mechanism by which a particle traveling below light speed almost everywhere may exhibit a transit time that suggests superluminal motion. This mechanism, which requires precise measurement of the particle velocity, involves a subtle perturbation affecting the particle's recorded time coordinate caused by virtual pair processes. The Stueckelberg framework is particularly well suited to such problems, because it permits pair creation/annihilation at the classical level. In this paper, …
In this paper, we consider the apparent superluminal speed of neutrinos in their travel from CERN to Gran Susso, as measured by the OPERA experiment, within the framework of the Extended Lorentz Transformation Model. The model is based on a natural extension of Lorentz transformation by wick rotation. Scalar and Dirac's fields are considered and invariance under the new lorentz group is discussed. Moreover, an extension of quantum mechanics to accommodate new particles is considered using the newly proposed Generalized-$\mathbb{C}$ quantum mechanics. A two dimensional representation of the new…
By relativity we show that, although the superluminal motion of classical particles is forbidden, the superluminal transportation of quanta of any massive matter field is possible. Exact theoretical derivation and precise numerical computation are presented. To search the superluminal phenomena is therefore still meaningful.
Experiments done with single photon in the early 1990's produced a surprising result: that single photon pass through a photon tunnel barrier with a group velocity faster than the vacuum speed of light. Recently, a series of experiments revealed that electromagnetic wave was able to travel at a group velocity faster than $c$. These phenomena have been observed in dispersive media. We think all particles can be divided into three kinds in nature: The first kind of particle is its velocity in the range of $0\leq v < c$, e.g. electron, atom and so on. The second kind of particle is its velocity i…
If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of the excitations of vacuum above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to $c$, the speed of light). Sectorial Lorentz invariance, reflected by the fact that all particles of a given dynamical sector have the same critical speed in vacuum, will t…
Dynamics is considered as a corollary of the space-time geometry. Evolution of a particle in the space-time is described as a chain of connected equivalent geometrical objects. Space-time geometry is determined uniquely by the world function $σ$. Proper modification of the Minkowskian world function for large space-time interval leads to wobbling of the chain, consisted of timelike straight segments. Statistical description of the stochastic world chain coincides with the quantum description by means of the Schrödinger equation. Proper modification of the Minkowskian world function for small s…
The Lagrangian equations of motion for massive spinning test particles (tops) moving on a gravitational background using General Relativity are presented. The paths followed by tops are nongeodesic. An exact solution for the motion of tops on a Schwarzschild background which allows for superluminal propagation of tops is studied. It is shown that the solution becomes relevant for particles with small masses, such as neutrinos. This general result is used to calculate the necessary condition to produce superluminal motion in part of the trajectory of a small mass particle in a weak gravitationa…
In this paper we present a theoretical analysis of an experiment by Mugnai and collaborators where superluminal behavior was observed in the propagation of microwaves. We suggest that what was observed can be well approximated by the motion of a superluminal X wave. Furthermore the experimental results are also explained by the so called scissor effect which occurs with the convergence of pairs of signals coming from opposite points of an annular region of the mirror and forming an interference peak on the intersection axis traveling at superluminal speed. We clarify some misunderstandings con…
In present work the author presents a new set of spacetime measures for both, subluminal and superluminal motion regimes, which do not diverge for the speed of light in the former case and each regime has its own light-like cone which warrants causality to each regime. For events located in the vicinity of the light cone and inside it, there exists the possibility to transit across the speed of light value in a discrete way, in terms of the very small constant which we introduce here to prevent the divergence of our spacetime measures at the speed of light.
If textbook Lorentz invariance is actually a property of the equations describing a sector of the excitations of vacuum above some critical distance scale, several sectors of matter with different critical speeds in vacuum can coexist and an absolute rest frame (the vacuum rest frame) may exist without contradicting the apparent Lorentz invariance felt by "ordinary" particles (particles with critical speed in vacuum equal to $c$, the speed of light). Sectorial Lorentz invariance, reflected by the fact that all particles of a given dynamical sector have the same critical speed in vacuum, will t…
In this article, the general solution of the tachyonic Klein-Gordon equation is obtained as a Fourier integral performed on a suitable path in the complex ω-plane. In particular, it is proved that under given boundary conditions this solution does not contain any superluminal components. On the basis of this result, we infer that all possible spacelike wave equations describe the dynamics of subluminal particles endowed with imaginary mass. This result is validated for the Chodos equation, used to describe the hypothetical superluminal behaviour of neutrino. In this specific framework it is pr…
In this paper we set forth new exact analytical Superluminal localized solutions to the wave equation for arbitrary frequencies and adjustable bandwidth. The formulation presented here is rather simple, and its results can be expressed in terms of the ordinary, so-called "X-shaped waves". Moeover, by the present formalism we obtain the first analytical localized Superluminal approximate solutions which represent beams propagating in dispersive media. Our solutions may find application in different fields, like optics, microwaves, radio waves, and so on. [PACS nos.: 03.50.De ; 41.20.Jb ; 83.50.…
We explore the recent OPERA experiment of superluminal neutrinos in the framework of Special Relativity with de Sitter space-time symmetry (dS-SR). According to Einstein a photon is treated as a massless particle in the framework of Special Relativity. In Special Relativity (SR) we have the universal parameter $c$, the photon velocity $c_{photon}$ and the phase velocity of a light wave in vacuum $c_{wave}=λν$. Due to the null experiments of Michelson-Morley we have $c=c_{wave}$. The parameter $c_{photon}$ is determined by the Noether charges corresponding to the space-time symmetries of SR. In…
If Lorentz invariance is only an approximate property of equations describing a sector of matter above some critical distance scale, the speed of light c will not necessarily be the only critical speed in vacuum. Superluminal sectors of matter may exist related to new degrees of freedom not yet discovered experimentally. The new particles would not be tachyons: they may feel different minkowskian space-times with critical speeds much higher than c and behave kinematically like ordinary particles apart from the difference in critical speed. We present a discussion of possible physical (theoreti…
