A generalization of the Lorentz ether to gravity with general-relativistic limit

Abstract

Does relativistic gravity provide arguments against the existence of a preferred frame? Our answer is negative. We define a viable theory of gravity with preferred frame. In this theory, the EEP holds exactly, and the Einstein equations of GR limit are obtained in a natural limit. Despite some remarkable differences (stable "frozen stars" instead of black holes, a "big bounce" instead of the big bang, exclusion of nontrivial topologies and closed causal loops, and a preference for a flat universe) the theory is viable. The equations of the theory are derived from simple axioms about some fundamental condensed matter (the generalized Lorentz ether), so that, in particular, the EEP is not postulated but derived. The theory is compatible with the condensed matter interpretation for the fermions and gauge fields of the standard model.