The First Lunar Ranging Constraints on Gravity Sector SME Parameters

TL;DR

This study uses over three decades of Lunar Laser Ranging data to set the first constraints on Lorentz-violating parameters in the gravity sector of the Standard-Model Extension, finding no evidence of violation.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental constraints on pure-gravity SME parameters using LLR data, improving understanding of Lorentz symmetry in gravity.

Findings

Constraints on six SME parameters at levels of 10^{-6} to 10^{-11}

No evidence for Lorentz violation in gravity from LLR data

Extended the bounds on Lorentz-violating effects in the gravitational sector

Abstract

We present the first constraints on pure-gravity sector Standard-Model Extension (SME) parameters using Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR). LLR measures the round trip travel time of light between the Earth and the Moon. With 34+ years of LLR data, we have constrained six independent linear combinations of SME parameters at the level of $10^{-6}$ to $10^{-11}$. There is no evidence for Lorentz violation in the LLR dataset.