The Work Ari BryNjolfsson

Dr. Ari Brynjolfsson (1927-2013) graduated in mathematics and science in 1948. He studied nuclear physics at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen between 1948-1954 and received his Ph.D in 1954. Dr. Brynjolfsson was a special research fellow of University of Iceland (1954-1955) and an Alexander von Humboldt fellow of the University of Göttingen (1955-1957). In 1973, he received a Doctor Philosophiae (DSc) from the Niels Bohrs Institute of Copenhagen. Dr. Brynjolfsson’s PhD addressed cosmic radiation and the design and construction of a sensitive and accurate magnetometer. His thesis was entitled ‘Some Aspects of the Interactions of Fast Charged Particles with Matter ’. This latter work then led to the development of the idea called plasma redshift in 1978, which is detailed in full on the website referenced via the link given.

Note: In order to provide some balance to the following review, the following paper provides a very extensive overview of the many redshift mechanisms that have been proposed over the years:

On the Interpretation of Red-Shifts:

A Quantitative Comparison of Red-Shift Mechanisms

While Brynjolfsson’s description of plasma redshift is briefly reviewed in the paper above, the following paper by Brynjolfsson might also prove useful to the interested reader:

Redshift of photons penetrating a hot plasma

While an attempt is now made to outline some of the key issues for the general reader, it is highlighted that the further detailed articles, to be found on Dr Brynjolfsson’s website, really need to be referenced to appreciate the full scope of his work.

The basic idea of Compton scattering has already been outlined in a previous discussion. However, this description is essentially limited to the scattering of one incident photon on one electron, which results in only one out-going photon. In this type of scattering, the probability of a collision between the photon and the electron can be defined in terms of a collision cross-section [σ C ], which in the simple example cited is in the order of 6.65*10−25cm2 that results in a very small amount of recoil energy being transferred to the electron. Expanding this basic idea to ‘double Compton scattering’ still describes one incident photon scattered on one electron, but now results in two out-going photons, although the collision cross section for this type of event is very small, i.e. [ΦC/137]. It is possible to extend this process to ‘multiple Compton scattering’ that is still based on one photon colliding with one electron, but now producing multiple photons as a result, although the collision for such events now have to be described in terms of quantum mechanics and not classical physics.

Note: the transition to a quantum description is said to be central to understanding the idea of redshift in hot sparse space plasmas.

Coherent scattering of electrons is often called ‘Rayleigh scattering’ when the initial and final states of the electrons are unchanged and ‘Raman scattering’ or ‘Stokes scattering’ when the initial and final electron states differ and results in incoherent scattering. When the photons scatter on the plasma electrons in thermal equilibrium, the redshift(s) produced by these processes are small and usually insignificant. However, if the scattering electron moves relative to the observer, a Doppler shift will occur, although it does not really change the nature of the interactions. While the theory of plasma redshift is still based on the scattering processes outlined, it now attempts to account for the interaction of one incident photon with a great many electrons in the plasma. So while plasma redshift is a form of ‘multiple Compton scattering’, it differs from the normal ‘classical’ description because it involves multiple scattering process on a great many electrons. While this type of scattering can be described as ‘incoherent’, it cannot be liken to ‘Raman scattering’ where the plasma redshift can usually be deduced using classical physics, as it now requires quantum considerations to be taken into account. If only classical physics were used, the collision cross section would effectively be zero.

OK, but how does this idea change the effects on redshift?

In classical Compton scattering, an incident photon with wavelength of 500nm, i.e. red light, would transfer an energy of about 6.36*10-49 joules to the plasma per electron. The corresponding energy transferred in the plasma redshift model is about 200,000 times larger or 1.31*10-43 joules per electron. So compared to the heat-energy transferred by Compton scattering, the heat-energy transferred by plasma redshift is very much larger and a key factor in correctly explaining the physics within:

the solar corona,

the corona of galaxies

the interstellar plasma.

Note: Experimental evidence would also appear to shown that when one of the outgoing photons is in the far-infrared, the interaction within a hot, sparse plasma always involves many electrons. Therefore, the collective effects become increasingly important as the collision cross-section becomes much larger in hot, sparse plasmas, such as those in the coronas of stars. This is in stark contrast to the same basic process in a cold, dense plasmas and in the denser and colder chromospheres of stars. As such, it is argued that the classical collision cross-section has to be replaced by the plasma redshift cross-section in many space plasma environments where the plasma is both hot and sparse.

Brynjolfsson‘s research has suggested that the cross-section for the plasma redshift depends on the photon width, i.e. its wavelength, and the damping of this wavelength within a plasma. This damping also appears to be a function of how the plasma temperature varies with its density, which in combination affects both the coherence and cross-section of the plasma redshift for the photons involved. In addition, the plasma redshift varies with the wavelength, electron temperature and density only when the wavelength is less than a certain cut-off wavelength, which also depends on the electron temperature and density. Outside the conditions being outlined, the significance of the plasma redshift is much reduced, which possibly explains why this type of redshift has not been commonly understood or observed. Research also suggests ways in which a magnetic field will affect the plasma redshift and the cut-off wavelength for the redshift, which is especially important for explaining some of the phenomena in the Sun, such as the flares, loops and arches, which can also be extended to plasma effects in interstellar space. Clearly, if Brynjolfsson‘s research stands up to further empirical verification, it could lead to a fundamental change to the theory of general relativity and have knock-on ramifications for any cosmological model. Let us try to summarise the scope of ideas that have only been introduced so far and the implications that might follow from these ideas:

The CMB is a result of the interstellar plasma being heated as a consequence of the plasma redshift cross-section. This effect is subject to quantum, not classical, collision processes, which only become significant in hot sparse plasmas that we might collectively label as ‘ space plasmas’ . In more conventional plasma, the lower energy levels of the atoms are typically occupied such that it is far more difficult for a photon to transfer its redshift energy to the plasma.





. In more conventional plasma, the lower energy levels of the atoms are typically occupied such that it is far more difficult for a photon to transfer its redshift energy to the plasma. The description of the plasma redshift is thought to explain the solar redshift, the cosmological redshift, the CMB and the cosmic X-ray background plus the redshift of supernovae and surface brightness-redshift relationship without recourse to the many assumptions of the Big Bang/Concordance model, i.e. cosmic inflation, space expansion, dark energy, dark matter, accelerated expansion or black holes. As a result, it is claimed that the universe is not expanding and can maintain itself indefinitely. As a consequence, the plasma redshift model leads to a fundamentally new cosmological model.





The idea of plasma redshift has the potential to explain many apparently contradictory phenomena and observations. For example, it has long been a puzzle how the Sun’s photosphere (~6000K) could heat the corona to temperatures in excess of 2,000,000K. In this context, it is claimed that the plasma redshift cross-section predicts the density and temperature distribution of both these zones.





Based on previous statements, the need for the reconnection of magnetic field lines would be negated, which many plasma physicists have argued is impossible, e.g. Hannes Alven.





of magnetic field lines would be negated, which many plasma physicists have argued is impossible, e.g. Hannes Alven. The plasma redshift model also claims to exactly predict the solar redshift across all observed spectral lines. As such, it is stated that the solar spectral lines are not a result of a gravitational redshift as normally assumed.





Based on Olber' paradox, if light, i.e. photons, from the stars were not absorbed according to the plasma redshift cross-section, the entire night sky would become as bright as the stars. However, it is argued that the absorption of photon energy in the form of the plasma redshift does account for the night sky observed.

So, in summary, the spectral lines emitted by the Sun appear to be plasma redshifted and not gravitationally redshifted, when observed on Earth. It is believed that quantum effects cause the gravitational redshift to be reversed as the photons move from the Sun to the Earth. While the photons appear weightless relative to a local observer, they are repelled relative to a distant observer. Therefore, the weightlessness of the photons in the gravitational field relative to a local observer appears inconsistent with Einstein's equivalence principle, i.e. gravitational mass does not necessarily equal the inertial mass, which would have a profound impact on any cosmological model. For example, it would follow that the accepted description of a ‘black hole’ does not exist as the photons can now escape and that under the very high pressure close to the ‘black hole limit’, matter would be annihilated and transformed into photons, which can escape and reform or be recreated as matter at a distance. Given that physicists have seen such annihilation and recreation of matter in the laboratories, it is argued that it is not unreasonable to assume that such processes take place in the wider universe. If so, there is no obvious need for Einstein’s cosmological constant [Λ] and the knock-on assumption that the universe must either be expanding or contracting; rather the universe might be described as existing in a quasi-static state, where matter can be constantly renewed indefinitely. This latter point would also suggest that the universe may be timeless.