Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physica Scripta

Kündig's experiment on the transverse Doppler shift re-analyzed

Alexander L. Kholmetskii, Tolga Yarman, O. Missevitch

Published Feb 6, 2008• 42 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we re-analyze the ingenious experiment by Kündig (measurement of the transverse Doppler shift by means of the Mössbauer effect) and show that a correct processing of experimental data gives a relative energy shift Δ E / E of the absorption line different from the value of classically assumed relativistic time dilation for a rotating resonant absorber. Namely, instead of the relative energy shift reported by Kündig ( v being the linear velocity of absorber and c being the light velocity in vacuum), we derive from his results . We are inclined to think that the revealed deviation of Δ E / E from relativistic prediction cannot be explained by any instrumental error and thus represents a physical effect. In particular, we assume that the energy shift of the absorption resonant line is induced not only by the standard time dilation effect, but also by some additional effect missed at the moment, and related perhaps to the fact that resonant nuclei in the rotating absorber represent a macroscopic quantum system and cannot be considered as freely moving particles.

DOI
10.1088/0031-8949/77/03/035302

Related papers

Comment on "Analyses of Mössbauer Experiments in a Rotating System: Proper and Improper Approaches"

Jaykov Foukzon

In paper [1] published recently A. L.Kholmetskii et al.argued that S.A.Podosenov et al. paper [2] wrong and cannot explain nowel Mossbauer experiment in a rotating system. However paper [1] contains a lot of principal mistakes: (i) first notice that [1] based on rejection Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) (see [3]) and misconception in basic notion of GRT. By using these misconception A. L.Kholmetskii et al.argued that: the problem of physical interpretation of observed energy shift between emission and absorption lines in a rotating system under framework of general relativity open. Ofcourse after rejection EEP under framework of general relativity one explains nothing. (ii) secondary note that paper [1] based on misleading in quantum optics. In quantum optics we dealing with probability density w(t,r),r∈ℝ³ such that w(t,‖r‖,Ω)δΩdt is probability of photon registration near point r, between instant t and t+dt by a detector with angular size δΩ≪1sr and located at point r∈ℝ³.The probability density w(t,r) is not highly localized in free space except unphysical 1D case known from literature (see [4],5B 1.2).A single photons cannot be localized by using photodetector. Nevertheless in order to disprove S.A.Podosenov et al. paper [2], A. L.Kholmetskii et al. in [1] naively argued that γ-quanta is a point particle and propagate along highly localized classical trajectory. But this is a missconcept. Remark 1. But more importantly, these authors deliberately mislead readers by reporting absolutely false information about experimental results stated in classical papers [5]-[9]. A. L.Kholmetskii et al. wrote (see [1] p.5): However, it becomes obvious that Podosenov et al. [26] did not even realize fact that Eq. (11) indicates a red shift of frequency of resonant radiation (i.e., ν_{R} ν₀. We add that same blue shift of frequency of resonant γ -quanta has been obtained in all other Mossbauer rotor experiments [1--6] (see corresponding ref.[5]-[9] in this paper) in configuration where source of resonant radiation was located on rotational axis, and resonant absorber was mounted on rotor rim. Remark 1. Note that in classical Mossbauer rotor experiments [1]--[6] only a red shift in full accordance with GRT prediction without any doubt were obtained. [Truncated by viXra Admin to <400 words]

•Dec 1, 2020•0 citations

Resonant Absorption between Moving Atoms due to Doppler Frequency Shift and Quantum Energy Variation

Ching-Chuan Su

By taking both the Doppler frequency shift for electromagnetic wave and the quantum energy variation of matter wave into consideration, a resonant-absorption condition based on the local-ether wave equation is presented to account for a variety of phenomena consistently, including the Ives-Stilwell experiment, the output frequency from ammonia masers, and the Mössbauer rotor experiment. It is found that in the resonant-absorption condition, the major term associated with the laboratory velocity is a dot-product term between this velocity and that of the emitting or absorbing atom. This term appears both in the Doppler frequency shift and the transition frequency variation and then cancels out. Thereby, the experimental results can be independent of the laboratory velocity and hence comply with Galilean relativity, despite the restriction that the involved velocities are referred specifically to the local-ether frame. However, by examining the resonant-absorption condition in the Mössbauer rotor experiment to a higher order, it is found that Galilean relativity breaks down.

arXiv:physics/0208084•Aug 23, 2002•1 citation

Quantum time dilation in atomic spectra

Piotr T. Grochowski, Alexander R. H. Smith, Andrzej Dragan +1 more

Quantum time dilation occurs when a clock moves in a superposition of relativistic momentum wave packets.The lifetime of an excited hydrogenlike atom can be used as a clock, which we use to demonstrate how quantum time dilation manifests in a spontaneous emission process.The resulting emission rate differs when compared with the emission rate of an atom prepared in a mixture of momentum wave packets at order v 2 /c 2 .This effect is accompanied by a quantum correction to the Doppler shift due to the coherence between momentum wave packets.This quantum Doppler shift affects the spectral line shape at order v/c.However, its effect on the decay rate is suppressed when compared with the effect of quantum time dilation.We argue that spectroscopic experiments offer a technologically feasible platform to explore the effects of quantum time dilation.

arXiv:2006.10084•Physical Review Research•Apr 19, 2021•19 citations

Quantum Signatures of Proper Time in Optical Ion Clocks

Gabriel Sorci, Joshua Foo, Dietrich G. Leibfried +2 more

Optical clocks based on atoms and ions probe relativistic effects with unprecedented sensitivity. They resolve time dilation due to atom motion or different positions in the gravitational potential through frequency shifts. However, all measurements of time dilation so far can be explained effectively as the result of dynamics with respect to a classical proper time parameter. Here we show that atomic clocks can probe effects where a classical description of the proper time dynamics is insufficient as superpositions of proper time emerge. We apply a Hamiltonian formalism to derive time dilation effects in harmonically trapped clock atoms and show how second-order Doppler shifts due to the vacuum energy, squeezing, and quantum corrections to the dynamics arise. We also demonstrate that time-dilation-induced entanglement between motion and clock evolution can become observable in state-of-the-art clocks when the motion of the atoms is strongly squeezed, realizing proper time interferometry. Our results show that experiments with trapped ion clocks are within reach of probing relativistic evolution of clocks for which a quantum description of proper time becomes necessary.

arXiv:2509.09573•Physical Review Letters•Feb 27, 2026•3 citations

Experiment and theory: the case of the Doppler effect for photons

Giuseppe Giuliani

In 1907, Einstein suggested an experiment with flying atoms for corroborating time dilation. In that paper, the flying atom was conceived as a flying clock: the reference to the Doppler effect was only indirect (the experiments by Stark to the first order of $v/c$). In 1922, Schrödinger showed that the emission of a light quantum by a (flying) atom is regulated by the conservation laws of energy and linear momentum. Therefore, the Doppler effect for photons is the consequence of the energy and momentum exchange between the atom and the photon: a central role is played by the quantum energy jump $ΔE$ of the transition (a relativistic invariant). The first realization of the experiment devised by Einstein is due to Ives and Stilwell (1938). Since then till nowadays experiments of this kind have been repeated in search of better precision and/or a deviation from the predictions of special relativity. The striking feature is that all the papers dealing with these experiments completely neglect Schrödinger's dynamical treatment. The origins of this omission are of different kind: pragmatic (agreement between formulas, wherever coming from, and experiments), historical (deep rooting of the wave theory of light) and epistemological (neglect of basic epistemological rules).

arXiv:1502.05736•European Journal of Physics•May 24, 2013•10 citations

Reinterpretation of the TPA heterodyne experiment based on Doppler frequency shift and quantum energy variation

Ching-Chuan Su

Based on the local-ether wave equation, a resonant-absorption condition between moving atoms is derived by taking into account both the Doppler frequency shift for the electromagnetic wave and the quantum energy variation of the matter wave. As the dependence of quantum energy on mass and speed is considered, this approach is different from that based on special relativity. Thereby, we present a reinterpretation of the TPA (two-photon absorption) heterodyne experiment, which is commonly ascribed to a consequence of special relativity.

Digest - IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. International Symposium•Jun 25, 2003•0 citations
In this paper, we re-analyze the ingenious experiment by Kündig (measurement of the transverse Doppler shift by means of the Mössbauer effect) and show that a correct processing of experimental data gives a relative energy shift Δ E / E of the absorption line different from the value of classically assumed relativistic time dilation for a rotating resonant absorber. Namely, instead of the relative energy shift reported by Kündig ( v being the linear velocity of absorber and c being the light velocity in vacuum), we derive from his results . We are inclined to think that the revealed deviation of Δ E / E from relativistic prediction cannot be explained by any instrumental error and thus represents a physical effect. In particular, we assume that the energy shift of the absorption resonant line is induced not only by the standard time dilation effect, but also by some additional effect missed at the moment, and related perhaps to the fact that resonant nuclei in the rotating absorber represent a macroscopic quantum system and cannot be considered as freely moving particles.
In paper [1] published recently A. L.Kholmetskii et al.argued that S.A.Podosenov et al. paper [2] wrong and cannot explain nowel Mossbauer experiment in a rotating system. However paper [1] contains a lot of principal mistakes: (i) first notice that [1] based on rejection Einstein equivalence principle (EEP) (see [3]) and misconception in basic notion of GRT. By using these misconception A. L.Kholmetskii et al.argued that: the problem of physical interpretation of observed energy shift between emission and absorption lines in a rotating system under framework of general relativity open. Ofcourse after rejection EEP under framework of general relativity one explains nothing. (ii) secondary note that paper [1] based on misleading in quantum optics. In quantum optics we dealing with probability density w(t,r),r∈ℝ³ such that w(t,‖r‖,Ω)δΩdt is probability of photon registration near point r, between instant t and t+dt by a detector with angular size δΩ≪1sr and located at point r∈ℝ³.The probability density w(t,r) is not highly localized in free space except unphysical 1D case known from literature (see [4],5B 1.2).A single photons cannot be localized by using photodetector. Nevertheless in order to disprove S.A.Podosenov et al. paper [2], A. L.Kholmetskii et al. in [1] naively argued that γ-quanta is a point particle and propagate along highly localized classical trajectory. But this is a missconcept. Remark 1. But more importantly, these authors deliberately mislead readers by reporting absolutely false information about experimental results stated in classical papers [5]-[9]. A. L.Kholmetskii et al. wrote (see [1] p.5): However, it becomes obvious that Podosenov et al. [26] did not even realize fact that Eq. (11) indicates a red shift of frequency of resonant radiation (i.e., ν_{R} ν₀. We add that same blue shift of frequency of resonant γ -quanta has been obtained in all other Mossbauer rotor experiments [1--6] (see corresponding ref.[5]-[9] in this paper) in configuration where source of resonant radiation was located on rotational axis, and resonant absorber was mounted on rotor rim. Remark 1. Note that in classical Mossbauer rotor experiments [1]--[6] only a red shift in full accordance with GRT prediction without any doubt were obtained. [Truncated by viXra Admin to <400 words]
By taking both the Doppler frequency shift for electromagnetic wave and the quantum energy variation of matter wave into consideration, a resonant-absorption condition based on the local-ether wave equation is presented to account for a variety of phenomena consistently, including the Ives-Stilwell experiment, the output frequency from ammonia masers, and the Mössbauer rotor experiment. It is found that in the resonant-absorption condition, the major term associated with the laboratory velocity is a dot-product term between this velocity and that of the emitting or absorbing atom. This term appears both in the Doppler frequency shift and the transition frequency variation and then cancels out. Thereby, the experimental results can be independent of the laboratory velocity and hence comply with Galilean relativity, despite the restriction that the involved velocities are referred specifically to the local-ether frame. However, by examining the resonant-absorption condition in the Mössbauer rotor experiment to a higher order, it is found that Galilean relativity breaks down.
Quantum time dilation occurs when a clock moves in a superposition of relativistic momentum wave packets.The lifetime of an excited hydrogenlike atom can be used as a clock, which we use to demonstrate how quantum time dilation manifests in a spontaneous emission process.The resulting emission rate differs when compared with the emission rate of an atom prepared in a mixture of momentum wave packets at order v 2 /c 2 .This effect is accompanied by a quantum correction to the Doppler shift due to the coherence between momentum wave packets.This quantum Doppler shift affects the spectral line shape at order v/c.However, its effect on the decay rate is suppressed when compared with the effect of quantum time dilation.We argue that spectroscopic experiments offer a technologically feasible platform to explore the effects of quantum time dilation.
Optical clocks based on atoms and ions probe relativistic effects with unprecedented sensitivity. They resolve time dilation due to atom motion or different positions in the gravitational potential through frequency shifts. However, all measurements of time dilation so far can be explained effectively as the result of dynamics with respect to a classical proper time parameter. Here we show that atomic clocks can probe effects where a classical description of the proper time dynamics is insufficient as superpositions of proper time emerge. We apply a Hamiltonian formalism to derive time dilation effects in harmonically trapped clock atoms and show how second-order Doppler shifts due to the vacuum energy, squeezing, and quantum corrections to the dynamics arise. We also demonstrate that time-dilation-induced entanglement between motion and clock evolution can become observable in state-of-the-art clocks when the motion of the atoms is strongly squeezed, realizing proper time interferometry. Our results show that experiments with trapped ion clocks are within reach of probing relativistic evolution of clocks for which a quantum description of proper time becomes necessary.
In 1907, Einstein suggested an experiment with flying atoms for corroborating time dilation. In that paper, the flying atom was conceived as a flying clock: the reference to the Doppler effect was only indirect (the experiments by Stark to the first order of v/cv/cv/c). In 1922, Schrödinger showed that the emission of a light quantum by a (flying) atom is regulated by the conservation laws of energy and linear momentum. Therefore, the Doppler effect for photons is the consequence of the energy and momentum exchange between the atom and the photon: a central role is played by the quantum energy jump ΔEΔEΔE of the transition (a relativistic invariant). The first realization of the experiment devised by Einstein is due to Ives and Stilwell (1938). Since then till nowadays experiments of this kind have been repeated in search of better precision and/or a deviation from the predictions of special relativity. The striking feature is that all the papers dealing with these experiments completely neglect Schrödinger's dynamical treatment. The origins of this omission are of different kind: pragmatic (agreement between formulas, wherever coming from, and experiments), historical (deep rooting of the wave theory of light) and epistemological (neglect of basic epistemological rules).
Based on the local-ether wave equation, a resonant-absorption condition between moving atoms is derived by taking into account both the Doppler frequency shift for the electromagnetic wave and the quantum energy variation of the matter wave. As the dependence of quantum energy on mass and speed is considered, this approach is different from that based on special relativity. Thereby, we present a reinterpretation of the TPA (two-photon absorption) heterodyne experiment, which is commonly ascribed to a consequence of special relativity.