A Concept of Assessment of LIV Tests with THESEUS Using the Gamma-Ray Bursts Detected by Fermi/GBM

TL;DR

This paper proposes a methodology to investigate potential quantum gravity effects on light speed by analyzing spectral lags in gamma-ray burst data, aiming to utilize future THESEUS observations.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach to assess LIV tests using GRB spectral lags, specifically designed for data from the THESEUS mission.

Findings

Methodology for analyzing spectral lags in GRBs

Potential to detect energy-dependent light speed variations

Framework for future THESEUS data analysis

Abstract

According to Einstein's special relativity theory, the speed of light in a vacuum is constant for all observers. However, quantum gravity effects could introduce its dispersion depending on the energy of photons. The investigation of the spectral lags between the gamma-ray burst (GRB) light curves recorded in distinct energy ranges could shed light on this phenomenon: the lags could reflect the variation of the speed of light if it is linearly dependent on the photon energy and a function of the GRB redshift. We propose a methodology to start investigating the dispersion law of light propagation in a vacuum using GRB light curves. This technique is intended to be fully exploited using the GRB data collected with THESEUS.