Relativity tests by complementary rotating Michelson-Morley experiments

TL;DR

This study conducts two simultaneous Michelson-Morley experiments with active rotation over a year, setting new stringent limits on Lorentz violation for electrons and photons within the standard model extension.

Contribution

It presents the first simultaneous dual-location Michelson-Morley experiments with active rotation, significantly improving bounds on Lorentz violation coefficients.

Findings

Limits on Lorentz violation for electrons down to 10^{-16}

Limits on Lorentz violation for photons down to 10^{-16}

Improved constraints by factors of 3 to 50 compared to previous studies

Abstract

We report Relativity tests based on data from two simultaneous Michelson-Morley experiments, spanning a period of more than one year. Both were actively rotated on turntables. One (in Berlin, Germany) uses optical Fabry-Perot resonators made of fused silica; the other (in Perth, Australia) uses microwave whispering-gallery sapphire resonators. Within the standard model extension, we obtain simultaneous limits on Lorentz violation for electrons (5 coefficients) and photons (8) at levels down to $10^{-16}$, improved by factors between 3 and 50 compared to previous work.