Quark Steering: An Unconventional Propulsion Hypothesis Inspired By Principles of Gravitational Effect

Abstract:

Inspired by gravitational effects on hadronic matter as described through geodesic modeling of general relativity and the conditions for quantum decoherence demonstrated in double-slit experiments, this essay hypothesizes a mechanism to induce directional motion in any mass. Asymmetric momentum distribution may be caused by collapse of select quark wave functions. As the wavelengths required are in picometers, they are prohibitive to synthesize in a controlled environment. But through employment of a collimated X-ray source antiparallel to an accelerated hadron beam, Doppler effects can generate the precise gamma wavelengths required for experimentally falsifying this effect. This may already occur organically in high-energy cosmic events but requires sustained collimation to produce a measurable impact. Refinement of this deterministic quark steering control stands to revolutionize propulsion technology.

With its demonstrable influence found in the most distant cosmic observations, gravitational effect is the most ubiquitous force in the universe [1]. First quantified by Sir Isaac Newton in 1687 [2], it was not until the early 20th century that general relativity’s time dilation supplanted the attractive force of the Newtonian model [3]. Although Minkowski’s spacetime interpretation of Einstein’s relativity theory has dominated the conversation regarding gravitational effect for the last century [4], the model is not unimpeachable, suffering from increasing empirical challenges brought on by divergent observations both quantum and cosmic [5]. Speculative theories from quantum gravitons [6] to intangible aethers [7] are found throughout the conversation, leveraging fragments of reason but unable to form a cohesive mosaic.

Despite the ongoing efforts to define the nature of gravitational effect, perhaps the most accurate and generally applicable position is that of Albert Einstein who described gravity as a “fictional force”. To elaborate, gravity is not an extant force carrier but is the observed effect of a particle passing through regions of space where there is an uneven distribution of time dilation. Most simply stated, particles in motion tend to steer into the curvature of spacetime caused by more massive objects.

This feat of geometry is fundamental to the 4-dimensional spacetime and allows particles to be treated as dimensionless points in a continuous analog of a dynamic medium. Popularized demonstrations of these effects include placing weighted balls on a stretched fabric that causes lighter ones to tumble towards them, and coin donation funnels where a penny rolling in a straight line across the manifold inevitably finds its way to the center [8]. However, these examples have a circular dependency in that they require gravitational effect to drive the demonstration.

It is also an oversimplification to treat particles as being pointal. The double-slit experiment is proof that all particles are wavelike when in motion [9]. This property has been observed with molecules into the hundreds of atoms, implying that all masses are behaving in a wavelike manner [10]. That individual particles interact with a double-slit, mirror, or prism at all requires that they are spatially extended wave packets in flight. This suggests that time dilation may be equivalently described by either medium distortion (spacetime) or field density terms (time dilation force carrier).

In any case, an uneven distribution of time dilation over a given path will cause an uneven rate of speed for the particle wave front. As Fig. 1 shows, away from a notable differential of time dilation, a particle will move in a straight line. As the particle traverses an area of uneven time dilation, the relative velocities of its wavefront are also skewed [11]. This temporal drag steering the particle toward the mass is the effect we call gravity.

Fig.1. Wavefront across geodesic

The “steering” of discrete particles in linear propagation does not give an intuitive description of why an otherwise stationary mass would “fall” towards a larger one. While hadrons (protons and neutrons) are often approximated as point masses with no intrinsic directional motion in gravitational models [12], in reality, they are composite systems of fundamental particles bound together [13]. As it is with all other observable particles, the constituents of a hadron move at relativistic speeds with individual momentum vectors. Due to their localized and indeterminate internal dynamics, these vectors are assumed to balance statistically, resulting in a net velocity of zero for the hadron.

However, if we assume that a hadron’s internal motions are statistically isotropic across its measurable volume, then any subdivision of that volume will exhibit similar isotropy with momentum equally distributed. Per Fig. 2, we can state that at any given moment that 1/2 of the hadron’s particles are in the top hemisphere and 1/2 are in the lower hemisphere, or that 1/2 of the hadron’s internal momentum is directed up while 1/2 is directed down.

Fig.2. Hadron across geodesic

As described by general relativity, time dilation limits the rate of action for particles in a given frame. It is the difference between gravitational potentials that results in differential effects on particle dynamics. Therefore, a difference in gravitational potential across a hadron results in a differential between internal dynamics within the upper and lower hemispheres. Because dilational effects will be more pronounced on particles in the lower hemisphere, the relatively slower velocity will consequently reduce the magnitude of the upward momentum.

Recognizing that this difference in velocities is across an altitude difference of not much more than a femtometer, near a large mass it is a persistent difference expressed through acceleration. Therefore, we are not held to the ground by an attractive force but by the intrinsic momentum of our own hadrons being directed towards the largest concentration of matter. What we experience as gravitational effect is the drag of time dilation steering our quarks and therefore the intrinsic momentum of our nuclear matter towards the Earth.

Although my descriptions of these effects leverage classical wavefront or physical particle imagery, when in motion, particles are all considered to be “non-local” or essentially intangible [14]. It is at the moment and location a particle is interacted with it exhibits measurable properties or becomes “local”. Within hadrons, quarks propagate at relativistic speeds with asymptotic freedom, interacting primarily with gluons via the strong force while their composite charge affects electrons. These rapid interactions within hadrons cause frequent coherence and decoherence of quark states, making statistical models like quark confinement practical for predictions [15].

However, this perspective simplifies hadrons as classical objects with zero net momentum at rest, their motion dictated by kinetic energy as per Newton’s laws. Yet, as noted earlier, the independent dynamics of a hadron’s constituents may produce differential effects across different geodesic paths resulting in gravitational effect on a stationary mass.

If it were possible to deterministically induce an effect similar to that of gravity but at a vector of our choosing, this may be the solution to a non-Newtonian propulsive force. More explicitly, if we can induce an imbalance in the hadron’s normally zero-sum internal momentum, this could manifest as external momentum. If performed repeatedly and across a collective mass but in the same vector, then we should expect that mass to accelerate accordingly. Where time dilation generates this imbalance by causing a differential between the velocities of a hadron’s quarks, it is through selective quark decoherence that we can create a comparable effect.

The Schrödinger electron cloud model describes the eigenstate of a given electron configuration per the bounds of the electromagnetic (EM) forces that attract them to the nucleus balanced against their repulsion from other electrons [16]. Similarly, the quark probability distribution is determined by the bounds of the strong nuclear force expressing a variety of attractive and repulsive effects as well. Regardless of whether quarks and gluons can be modeled as orderly as the electron orbitals, one can statistically assume that the three quarks are in equally opposing momentum eigenstates. This allows a mass to be at rest, respond to Newton’s laws, and comply with gravitational effect.

As shown in various delayed choice and double-slit experiments, it is through detection or interaction with particles that there is a collapse of their wave function at that point [17]. Propagation restarts from that point erasing any interference in the wavefront or indeterminacy prior to that point. In other words, the particle briefly becomes a point with a vector before continuing on. This experimental result holds true for photons, electrons, and hadrons [18].

Therefore, if we were to collapse the eigenstate of one quark, this may for a fleeting moment manifest the entirety of that quark’s momentum into a single vector. An EM wave tuned to a quark’s de Broglie wavelength may be able to induce this decoherence. The result will be a linear motion period for the affected quark causing an imbalance of momentum, hypothetically in the opposing vector per Fig. 3.

Fig.3. Hadron with negative vector reaction

Alternatively, an EM wave might scatter the quark, reducing its momentum along the wave’s direction. This interaction could depress momentum in the opposing direction, potentially inducing a net repulsive momentum for the hadron along the wave’s propagation axis as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig.4. Hadron with repulsive reaction

Although we are describing a minuscule force over a brief period, interfering with the behavior of a single quark’s momentum is a significant fraction of a hadron’s total (given three valence quarks). Through repeated induction in the same vector, we expect to realize a measurable acceleration analogous to how the weak but persistent influence of gravitational effect impacts a hadron’s momentum balance. Compounding this effect across an entire atomic nucleus or macroscopic mass may result in propulsion exceeding that of a modest gravitational slope. Considering that these EM waves will likely penetrate through some thickness of various matter before becoming too diffused also lends itself to the consideration of conventionally counterintuitive efficiencies. The use of target materials with high atomic mass is expected to provide greater propulsion per unit energy due to their higher density of hadrons when compared to lighter materials.

The suggested mechanism for inducing such a wave function collapse, as suggested in the earlier diagrams, is by interaction with individual quarks. Thorium-229 nuclear clock experiments show that nuclear masses do respond to photons in a wavelength-dependent manner [19], and it is reasonable to expect that those properties may be inherited from the components of the hadron. Hypothetically, creating a directional EM field with a de Broglie wavelength matching that of a specific quark energy will cause a unidirectional momentum imbalance across the hadron. Any interaction, whether measurement, scattering, or another process, collapsing the quark’s wave function should produce an observable change in momentum within the hadron.

To estimate the longest feasible wavelength to achieve this effect, I focus on the up quark. This is the lightest hadron component which should be reflected by having the longest wavelength, and is found in both protons and neutrons. Based on the Lattice QCD calculated rest mass of approximately 2.01±0.14 MeV/c2 [20], Equation (2) is an estimate of the hypothetically longest effective wavelength.

f=Eh(Planck’s Constant)=2.01x106eV4.135667662×10–15eVHz=4.86x1020Hz (1)

=cf=3.00x1084.86x10206.17x10–13m (2)

This suggests that the wavelengths required reach into the gamma range. Already prohibitively short, I do expect the necessary wavelength to be shorter yet. However, being that these energy levels are not easily synthesized or controlled makes it unlikely that the hypothesized effects will naturally occur. It may be possible that the anomalous behavior of quasars or pulsar jets have conditions that may generate these effects [21], but it would require deep analysis of high-resolution data to identify the narrow range where this perturbation may be taking place.

For experimental verification of this hypothesis, one might be able to employ a collimated x-ray or higher energy beam placed within a particle accelerator. The x-rays, which always propagate at the speed of light, would be directed against the beam of hadrons in the observational or target area. As the velocity of the protons or neutrons is accelerated, this will Doppler-shift the wavelength of the photons traveling in opposition [22]. Once a wavelength matching that of the quark is reached, there should be a notable deviation from the expected trajectories of the particles.

Since EM waves below 3 GHz are already used for manipulating the beam of hadrons in an accelerator, there is expected to be some interaction observed regardless of the photon beam wavelength. Such interference is likely to result in some amount of random scattering.

When Doppler-adjusted wavelengths are achieved that induce a peculiar change in the amount of scattering, especially if in a counterintuitive range of angles, this may imply that the adjusted wavelength is slightly too short. Since we would be hoping to interact with quarks that have a strong eigenstate in direct opposition to the beam, a range of deflections implies that the wavelength matches quark movement that is off-axis. If the perturbations are primarily collimated in line with the beam vector (reflection away from or acceleration towards the beam), this will indicate an ideal wavelength match.

When such quark-interfering wavelengths are determined, it will be the efficient exploitation of this quantum nudging that stands to revolutionize power and propulsion technology. Ideally, an efficiently designed turbine leveraging quark steering principles could use quantum effects to generate perpetual motion and, therefore, perpetual energy. For use as a propulsion system, miniaturized gamma-ray sources embedded in transportation vessels and aimed across their hulls may allow for greater displacement of mass with less energy input than conventional means. The irony will be that higher density materials will likely provide better energy-to-thrust conversion efficiency.

The primary environmental concern for this type of propulsion would be the generation of extremely short-wavelength gamma radiation. Although dense gamma absorptive materials would hypothetically be ideal for such a craft, diminishing returns in force versus material thickness will make total shielding weight prohibitive, allowing excess gamma radiation to escape the system. In the atmosphere, gamma radiation of these wavelengths can penetrate 1,000 meters or more, making exposure risk in the emission vector a significant concern.

If various UAP and UFO reports are to be believed, this may imply that such a technology as described above may be extant. Observations that include the following effects would be indicative of the hypothesized quark steering propulsion method:

An arbitrarily shaped vessel with no apparent exhaust or conventional propulsion system, producing little sound and appearing to be internally driven [23].

A flight pattern with arbitrary trajectory changes with emitters inside different vessel surfaces acting on multiple axes [24].

External turbulence induced in the surrounding medium by the same radiation motivating the vessel reduces resistance when passing through the atmosphere or even water. This may also suppress the shockwave when transitioning to supersonic speeds [25].

Electronics experience interference, glitches, and possible damage if exposed to gamma radiation [26], [27].

Being highly ionizing radiation, gamma emissions can cause severe and penetrative burns in tissues [27], [28].

The hypothetical effect outlined here is potentially falsifiable using available facilities and instrumentation. If quark steering is found to be a viable effect, it will enable a new era of mobility across the Earth and to the stars.

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