Extragalactic TeV Photons and the Zero-point Vibration Spectrum Limit

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility that a cut-off in the zero-point vibration spectrum explains anomalous transparency in extragalactic gamma-ray observations, proposing a new theoretical framework involving a 5D Absolute Parallelism theory.

Contribution

It introduces a 5D Absolute Parallelism theory with a characteristic length scale that modifies fundamental laws and explains the zero-point spectrum cut-off, offering an alternative to new physics explanations.

Findings

Estimated ZV boundary at ~7.4 TeV

Modified gravitational law at large distances

Description of 15 polarizations and topological charges

Abstract

There are observations indicating a possible anomalous transparency of intergalactic space (filled with infrared background light) for extragalactic gamma-rays of very high energy (> 100 GeV). The anomaly is usually associated with effects of some new physics. However, another explanation is possible -- as a manifestation relating to a cut-off of the zero-point vibration spectrum. It is assumed that this boundary U_{ZV} is isotropic in the reference frame, where the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is isotropic, and an estimate is obtained: U_{ZV} ~7.4 TeV. The presence of a ZV boundary also leads to an increased beta decay time of accelerated particles with the Lorentz factor > 50. It is widely believed that the ZV-spectrum continues up to the Planck energy. There is, however, a 5D variant of the Absolute Parallelism theory (AP), free from singularities of solutions, where a large characteristic length L appears, which determines the thickness of expanding spherical S^3-shell (the cosmological solution as the longitudinal wave along the radius) in co-moving co-ordinates. Newton's Law 1/r^2 is replaced by 1/r at distances exceeding L, and the Planck length (a composite parameter) `arises' from L when switching to the conventional energy-momentum scale. The theory features are briefly exposed -- description of 15 polarizations (degrees of freedom), the energy-momentum tensor (in prolonged 4th order equations), topological charges and quasi-charges of localized field configurations.