Gamma-ray and Cosmic-ray Tests of Lorentz Invariance Violation and Quantum Gravity Models and Their Implications

TL;DR

This paper reviews gamma-ray and cosmic-ray observations that test Lorentz invariance violation, constraining quantum gravity models and Planck scale physics through various astrophysical data.

Contribution

It compiles and analyzes observational limits from multiple gamma-ray and cosmic-ray experiments to evaluate and constrain quantum gravity theories involving Lorentz invariance violation.

Findings

Limits on Lorentz invariance violation from gamma-ray spectra

Constraints on quantum gravity models from cosmic-ray data

Implications for Planck scale physics and quantum gravity theories

Abstract

The topic of Lorentz invariance violation is a fundamental question in physics that has taken on particular interest in theoretical explorations of quantum gravity scenarios. I discuss various gamma-ray observations that give limits on predicted potential effects of Lorentz invariance violation. Among these are spectral data from ground based observations of the multi-TeV gamma-rays from nearby AGN, INTEGRAL detections of polarized soft gamma-rays from the vicinity of the Crab pulsar, Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope studies of photon propagation timing from gamma-ray bursts, and Auger data on the spectrum of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. These results can be used to seriously constrain or rule out some models involving Planck scale physics. Possible implications of these limits for quantum gravity and Planck scale physics will be discussed.