Aether Compactification

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel approach to extra dimension hiding using Lorentz-violating tensor fields, which modifies Kaluza-Klein masses without requiring branes or small-scale gravity deviations.

Contribution

It presents a new compactification method employing a Lorentz-violating vector field, allowing independent tuning of Kaluza-Klein masses for different particle species.

Findings

Modified dispersion relations for fields interacting with the aether

Independent control over Kaluza-Klein mass scales

No small-scale deviations from inverse square law predicted

Abstract

We propose a new way to hide extra dimensions without invoking branes, based on Lorentz-violating tensor fields with expectation values along the extra directions. We investigate the case of a single vector ``aether'' field on a compact circle. In such a background, interactions of other fields with the aether can lead to modified dispersion relations, increasing the mass of the Kaluza-Klein excitations. The mass scale characterizing each Kaluza-Klein tower can be chosen independently for each species of scalar, fermion, or gauge boson. No small-scale deviations from the inverse square law for gravity are predicted, although light graviton modes may exist.