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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Masslessness as a Structural Classification

Masslessness as a Structural Classification

Abstract

This paper clarifies the logical status of masslessness in relativistic physics by identifying it as a structural classification rather than a dynamical property or a symmetry-protected feature. Adopting the standard Lorentz-invariant definition of mass, the analysis introduces identifiability as the capacity of a physical system to be invariantly tracked along its evolution via proper time and internal degrees of freedom. It is shown that any physically admissible system that lacks identifiability cannot be associated with a time-like worldline and is therefore necessarily null, forcing its Lorentz invariant to vanish. Conversely, systems that admit identifiability are structurally excluded from the null sector and cannot be massless. This yields a rigid and exhaustive classification that simultaneously explains known massless systems and rules out entire classes of hypothetical massless entities. The result does not rely on specific dynamics or symmetry arguments and sharply constrains model-building strategies.

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    influence
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green