Bounds on higher-order Lorentz-violating photon sector coefficients from an asymmetric optical ring resonator experiment

TL;DR

This study reanalyzed an optical ring resonator experiment with a dielectric prism to set new bounds on higher-order Lorentz-violating photon sector coefficients, providing the first constraints on certain unbounded coefficients.

Contribution

It introduces a novel reanalysis method for optical resonator data to constrain higher-order Lorentz-violating coefficients in the photon sector.

Findings

Set bounds on higher-order parity-odd Lorentz-violating coefficients

First constraints on two previously unbounded coefficients

Demonstrated the effectiveness of optical resonator experiments for fundamental physics

Abstract

Optical resonators provide a powerful tool for testing aspects of Lorentz invariance. Here, we present a reanalysis of an experiment where a path asymmetry was created in an optical ring resonator by introducing a dielectric prism in one arm. The frequency difference of the two fundamental counter-propagating modes was then recorded as the apparatus was orientation-modulated in the laboratory. By assuming that the minimal Standard-Model Extension coefficients vanish we are able to place bounds on higher-order parity-odd Lorentz-violating coefficients of the Standard-Model Extension. The results presented in this work set the first constraints on two previously unbounded linear combinations of d=8 parity-odd nonbirefringent nondispersive coefficients of the photon sector.