Negative-Energy Matter and the Direction of Time

Introduction

It is usually believed that the problem of producing a classical theory of gravitation compatible with the requirement of general covariance was completely solved more than a century ago by the creation of the general theory of relativity. Since then, all efforts have thus been focused on trying to make this theory compatible with quantum theory, the other great pillar of fundamental theoretical physics. But despite the enormous progress which was achieved in this direction, those efforts have not been entirely successful.

In face of the mounting difficulties encountered in the field of observational cosmology a growing number of researchers have come to believe that the problem may have to do with relativity theory itself. Through a critical review of some of our most basic assumptions concerning the physical concept of time direction a decisive shift in our understanding of gravitation has recently been achieved that is based on a re-examination of the problem of negative-energy states.

It is by insisting on applying the principle of relativity to all physical quantities, including the sign of energy, that an improved classical theory of gravitation can emerge that preserves the basic mathematical structure of relativity, but that simplifies the theory in the presence of negative-energy matter and vacuum energy.

This renewed perspective has already allowed to shed light on several long-standing puzzles in cosmology, such as the problem of the nature of dark matter and dark energy and that of the origin of the arrow of time. But it was also shown to be necessary to explain why it is that the strange world of quantum mechanics can give rise to the classical world of our daily experience. This book exposes in a rigorous, yet accessible manner the most significant aspects of those essential developments.

The abridged edition of Negative-Energy Matter and the Direction of Time covers a good portion of the material which is contained in the original, extended edition, except for quantum-mechanical aspects of gravitation theory and cosmology and what regards the problem of the interpretation of quantum theory itself. It is currently available in print on Amazon in the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Japan, and Australia. An updated version of the original (extended) edition of the book will be available soon in the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Japan, and Australia (and in various other countries through those web stores).