Interpretation of M\"ossbauer experiment in a rotating system: a new proof for general relativity

Abstract

A historical experiment by K\"undig on the transverse Doppler shift in a rotating system measured with the M\"ossbauer effect has been recently first re-analyzed and then replied [1,2]. The results have shown that a correct re-processing of K\"undig's experimental data gives a deviation of a relative redshift between emission and absorption resonant lines from the prediction due to relativistic dilatation of time, which, at first-order in \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}, gives a redshift \frac{\nabla E}{E}\simeq-\frac{1}{2}\frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}} where v is the tangential velocity of the absorber of resonant radiationa and c is the velocity of light in vacuum. Data re-processing gave \frac{\nabla E}{E}\simeq-k\frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}} with k=0.596\pm0.006. Subsequent new experimental results [2] have shown a redshift with k=0.68\pm0.03 instead. Using Einstein Equivalence Principle on the equivalence between the gravitational "force" and the pseudo-force experienced by an observer in a rotating frame of reference, here we re-analyze the theoretical framework of M\"ossbauer rotor experiments directly in the rotating frame through a general relativistic treatment. We show that previous analyses missed an important effect of clock synchronization and that the correct general relativistic prevision in the rotating frame gives k\simeq\frac{2}{3} in perfect agreement with the new experimental results. Such an effect of clock synchronization has been missed in various papers in the literature with some subsequent claim of invalidity of relativity theory and/or some attempts to explain the experimental results through "exotic" effects. Our general relativistic interpretation shows, instead, that the new experimental results of the M\"ossbauer rotor experiment are a new, strong and independent, proof of general relativity. Finally, we discuss an analogy with the use of general relativity in Global Positioning Systems.