Abstract (Theoretical Explorations)
We explore a dynamical alternative to curved spacetime in which the universe is fundamentally three-dimensional and time emerges from dynamics. A single scalar field is proposed to control the local one-way speed of light while preserving the measured two-way speed. In this framework, matter and photons couple to the same field: test bodies would experience accelerations sourced by its gradient, while photons would follow refractive paths. From a local isotropic action we derive a nonlinear field equation that appears to reproduce the classical tests of general relativity, including light deflection, gravitational redshift, Shapiro delay, and Mercury’s perihelion advance. In the low-gradient regime this framework suggests a possible mechanism for flat galaxy rotation curves and Tully–Fisher scaling that might reduce the need for dark matter. On cosmic scales, the optical length integral could introduce a foreground-dependent bias that might contribute to the Hubble tension and mimic cosmic acceleration effects. We present the mathematical framework, conservation laws, and propose falsifiable laboratory tests, including one-way light speed metrology and atom interferometry protocols.
📄 Published Preprint
This paper is now officially available with DOI on CERN’s Zenodo repository:
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.16900767
Published August 19, 2025 on Zenodo – CERN’s open science repository supporting the European Union’s open access mandates for publicly-funded research.
Density_Field_Dynamics_and_the_c_Field__A_Three_Dimensional__Time_Emergent_Dynamics_for_Gravity_and_Cosmology-1