Improved Bounds on Lorentz Symmetry Violation From High-Energy Astrophysical Sources

TL;DR

This paper uses high-energy astrophysical observations to set stringent new bounds on Lorentz symmetry violation in electrons, improving previous constraints significantly through gamma-ray data analysis.

Contribution

It provides the most precise bounds to date on Lorentz violation parameters in the electron sector using astrophysical gamma-ray observations.

Findings

Lorentz violation bounds improved to 7×10^{-16} or better

Astrophysical data constrains electron energy-momentum relations

Gamma-ray observations are effective for testing fundamental symmetries

Abstract

Observations of the synchrotron and inverse Compton emissions from ultrarelativistic electrons in astrophysical sources can reveal a great deal about the energy-momentum relations of those electrons. They can thus be used to place bounds on the possibility of Lorentz violation in the electron sector. Recent $\gamma$-ray telescope data allow the Lorentz-violating electron $c^{\nu\mu}$ parameters to be constrained extremely well, so that all bounds are at the level of $7\times 10^{-16}$ or better.