Constraints on violations of Lorentz symmetry from Gravity Probe B

TL;DR

This paper uses Gravity Probe B data to establish new upper limits on Lorentz symmetry violations in gravity, including the first constraints on a specific Lorentz-violating coefficient.

Contribution

It provides the first constraints on the time-time component coefficient of Lorentz violation in the gravitational sector using experimental data.

Findings

New upper limits on Lorentz violation coefficients

First constraints on the time-time component coefficient

Enhanced understanding of Lorentz symmetry in gravity

Abstract

We use the final results from Gravity Probe B to set new upper limits on the gravitational sector of the Standard-Model Extension, including for the first time the coefficient associated with the time-time component of the new field responsible for inducing local Lorentz violation in the theory.