Tests of the Lorentz and CPT Symmetries at the Planck Energy Scale with X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Observations

TL;DR

This paper reviews how high-energy astrophysical observations can test fundamental symmetries like Lorentz invariance and CPT at the Planck scale, providing new limits on possible violations.

Contribution

It introduces new constraints on Lorentz and CPT violation parameters within the Standard-Model Extension framework using X-ray and gamma-ray data.

Findings

New limits on dispersion relation operators of dimension d=5 and d=6.

Constraints improve previous bounds on Lorentz and CPT violation.

Discussion of future observational strategies for symmetry tests.

Abstract

X-ray and gamma-ray observations of astrophysical objects at cosmological distances can be used to probe the energy dependence of the speed of light with high accuracy and to search for violations of Lorentz invariance and CPT symmetry at the Planck energy scale. In this conference contribution, we discuss these searches in the theoretical framework of the Standard-Model Extension. We present new limits on the dispersion relation governed by operators of mass dimension d=5 and d=6, and we discuss avenues for future progress.