A report presents a theoretical study of the relationship between the inertial mass (mi) and gravitational mass (mg) of a self-interacting neutral scalar boson in a heat bath. The question of whether these masses differ arises in modern physics. In quantum field theory, the mass of a particle appears as a parameter that, as a result of interaction with fields, is changed to a renormalizable, physically reliable value (mR). The interaction of a particle with fields also has a thermal character. Thus, a boson in a heat bath in a gravitational field gains an acceleration different from the gravitational acceleration. The study utilizes a simple approximate Lagrangian model that is well suited for analysis of temperature- and gravitation-related effects.
This work was done by Igor Kulikov of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a copy of the report, “Inertial and Gravitational Masses of Bosons at Finite Temperatures,” access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical Sciences category. NPO-30325
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Study of Inertial and Gravitational Masses of a Boson
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Overview
The document is a technical report detailing a study on the non-equality of inertial and gravitational masses of scalar bosons, conducted by Igor K. Kulikov under NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The research is grounded in finite temperature quantum field theory and aims to understand how interactions with a heat bath affect the masses of these particles.
The study begins by addressing the fundamental problem of why inertial and gravitational masses are not equal for scalar particles. This discrepancy is significant in theoretical physics and has implications for our understanding of gravity and mass. The author proposes a model that incorporates gravitational interactions and thermal effects, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the mass ratio as a function of the temperature of the heat bath.
Key components of the research include two-loop computations for a self-interacting scalar model at finite temperatures, which are essential for understanding the renormalization of the model. The report emphasizes the importance of renormalizability in quantum field theories, particularly in ensuring the finiteness of the S-matrix and the physical interpretation of mass and coupling constants.
The document outlines the derivation of a Hamiltonian that describes the behavior of bosons in an external gravitational field. It highlights how the interaction with a heat bath modifies the boson's properties, leading to a difference between inertial and gravitational masses. The findings suggest that thermal interactions play a crucial role in this non-equality, which is a novel insight into the behavior of bosons under gravitational influence.
Additionally, the report includes references to established equations and theoretical frameworks, such as Tolman's equation, which connects temperature and gravitational effects. The results are presented in a way that is accessible to researchers in the field, providing a foundation for further exploration of the implications of these findings.
In conclusion, this study contributes to the understanding of mass in the context of quantum field theory and gravity, offering a new perspective on the relationship between inertial and gravitational masses of scalar bosons. The research not only addresses a long-standing question in physics but also opens avenues for future investigations into the effects of temperature and gravitational interactions on particle behavior.
