Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Quantum Deviations from Einstein Dilation of Unstable Quantum Lifetimes
Gordon Fleming, Department of Physics (Emeritus)
Penn State University
12:05 pm, 817R Cathedral of Learning

Abstract: For over a decade several workers have been arguing that quantum mechanics requires deviations from Einstein's time dilation formula for the lifetimes of moving unstable quantons. The arguments have either been correct but incomplete to obtain very small deviations or exact calculations to obtain an outrageous deviation which then discredits the model which led to it. I will review this issue, provide ‘complete’ discussions for the important examples and show the outrageous instance to be based on a misinterpretation of the formalism employed, thereby reassessing the discredited model. Finally, I will present a generalised deviation from Einstein dilation firmly based on Lorentz covariant quantum theory.