Tests of Lorentz Invariance Using High Energy Astrophysics Observations

TL;DR

This paper reviews how high-energy astrophysical observations, like gamma-ray spectra and neutrino detections, can test for tiny violations of Lorentz invariance, offering insights into quantum gravity and space-time structure.

Contribution

It introduces new observational methods and analyzes recent gamma-ray burst data to set constraints on Lorentz invariance violation at high energies.

Findings

Constraints on Lorentz invariance violation from gamma-ray observations

Detection of polarization signatures related to space-time structure

Time-of-flight analysis of GRB 090510 data

Abstract

High-energy astrophysics observations provide the best possibilities to detect a very small violation of Lorentz invariance, such as may be related to the structure of space-time near the Planck scale. I discuss the possible signatures of Lorentz invariance violation that can be manifested by observing the spectra, polarization, and timing of gamma-rays from active galactic nuclei and gamma-ray bursts. Other sensitive tests are provided by observations of the spectra of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays and very high-energy neutrinos. I also discuss a new time-of-flight analysis of observations of GRB 090510 by the Fermi gamma-ray Space Telescope. These results, based on high-energy astrophysical observations, have fundamental implications for space-time physics and quantum gravity models.