New proof of general relativity through the correct physical interpretation of the Mössbauer rotor experiment

Abstract

In this paper, we give a correct interpretation of a historical experiment by Kündig on the transverse Doppler shift in a rotating system (Mössbauer rotor experiment). This experiment has been recently first reanalyzed, and then replied by an experimental research group. The results of reanalyzing the experiment have shown that a correct re-processing of Kündig’s experimental data gives an interesting deviation of a relative redshift between emission and absorption resonant lines from the standard prediction based on the relativistic dilatation of time. Subsequent new experimental results by the reply of Kündig experiment have shown a deviation from the standard prediction even higher. By using the Equivalence Principle (EP), which states the equivalence between the gravitational “force” and the pseudo-force experienced by an observer in a noninertial frame of reference (included a rotating frame of reference), here the theoretical framework of the Mössbauer rotor experiment is reanalyzed directly in the rotating frame of reference through a general relativistic treatment. It will be shown that previous analyses missed an important effect of clock synchronization. By adding this new effect, the correct general relativistic prevision is in perfect agreement with the new experimental results. Such an effect of clock synchronization has been missed in various papers in the literature, with some subsequent claim of invalidity of the relativity theory and/or some attempts to explain the experimental results through “exotic” effects. The general relativistic interpretation in this paper shows, instead that the new experimental results of the Mössbauer rotor experiment are a new, strong and independent proof of general relativity.