Could Gravitational Waves Allow for Time Travel?

[yerty4235437y]

it seems to me that during a high energy event that a space time compression wave would be created which would then normalize as it spread out. A particle on a back end wave would become close enough to the front end wave that it could tunnel between the two as "distance" is compressed. We already see quantum tunneling in nature, cite Ammonia.

with this line of thought, a "particle / unit of information state" could move between wave fronts as they are compressed.

The implication of that is an event's consequence could be observed before the event if it were to be "kicked" into a high enough energy level. If not before the event, at least a degree of the effects of an event happening at the same time as the event one the compression wave in space time normalized again.

While not strictly FTL an event could be received before it should arrive if c is the limit.

 

[mfb]

A particle on a back end wave would become close enough to the front end wave that it could tunnel between the two as "distance" is compressed.

There is nothing to tunnel through. There is not even a potential barrier. And you can't beat the speed of light with tunneling anyway.

The implication of that is an event's consequence could be observed before the event if it were to be "kicked" into a high enough energy level.

No.

If not before the event, at least a degree of the effects of an event happening at the same time as the event one the compression wave in space time normalized again.

What does that even mean?

While not strictly FTL an event could be received before it should arrive if c is the limit.

It might be possible to deform spacetime in a suitable way if we find some way to create negative energy densities. This is the idea of the Alcubierre drive. Gravitational waves don't help, however.

 

[yerty4235437y]

I am not trying to argue the c can be beaten. I am arguing that space time can be compressed in the same way it can expand. That a compressed wave front can transfer state information, and that when the frequency reduces as the waves lengthen that the information could be propagated forwards.

If the back end of an xray photon could effect the quantum state of the front end then as the universe red shits then the information at the front precedes that the back and by definition has to arrive in advance of c while never going faster that c because expansion (compression) of space time is not limited to c.

 

[mfb]

That a compressed wave front can transfer state information

In the same way every other wave transfers information, sure. You don't even need anything in addition.

and that when the frequency reduces as the waves lengthen that the information could be propagated forwards.

The information is propagated forwards independent of the frequency.

Photons don't have a position operator, a "back end of a photon" does not exist. The back of a wave packet can influence the front in general - but only at the speed of light, so you have to slow the wave packet down to get such an influence. Otherwise (e.g. in vacuum) the back never influences the front.

 

[yerty4235437y]

I can agree with all of that, but given we are talking about moving at c, if the distance was compressed it would be equivalent. In the same way light moves through ingress into a condensate and is "compressed / slowed down" on the way in, is it impossible that it could not effect the photon in front, which would then precede it as it speed up again as it left again.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I think you will need to get SR down pat (c.f. your other thread) before going on.
You might also want to take a look at PF Rules on personal theories, while you're at it.

 

[PeterDonis]

I am arguing that space time can be compressed in the same way it can expand.

Spacetime doesn't compress or expand. It just is. Spacetime is a 4-dimensional geometry; it doesn't change, it just is.

 

[PeterDonis]

The OP is personal speculation based on misunderstandings. Thread closed.