Use of the gravitational-wave interferometers to test Lorentz invariance violation

TL;DR

This paper discusses how gravitational-wave interferometers can be used to test Lorentz invariance violation, setting new limits on refractive index changes with high sensitivity.

Contribution

It demonstrates that existing gravitational-wave detectors can impose stringent new limits on Lorentz invariance violation through analysis of sideband frequency data.

Findings

No Lorentz violating signal detected in preliminary LIGO data

Set a new limit on refractive index change, dn/n < 2x10^-22

Improved previous limits by over three orders of magnitude

Abstract

Currently operating gravitational-wave interferometers are Michelson interferometers with effective arm length L ~ 4x10e5 m. While the interferometer remains in lock, data at the fsr sideband frequency encode information on slow phase changes in the f ~ 10e-5 Hz range, with a fringe sensitivity ~ 10e-10. Preliminary LIGO data presented in 2009 show no Lorentz violating signal at the second harmonic of the Earth's sidereal frequency. This sets a limit on a possible change in refractine index, dn/n < 2x10e-22, an improvement of more than three orders of magnitude over existing limits.