Violating Lorentz invariance minimally by the emergence of nonmetricity? A Perspective

TL;DR

This paper discusses how minimal violations of Lorentz invariance can emerge from nonmetricity in a gauge-theoretic framework of gravity, challenging the fundamental symmetry underlying the Standard Model.

Contribution

It proposes that nonmetricity in metric-affine geometry provides a natural mechanism for Lorentz invariance violation within a gauge-theoretic approach to gravity.

Findings

Nonmetricity signals Lorentz invariance violation.

Gauge-theoretic gravity framework links nonmetricity to symmetry breaking.

Potential observable effects in fundamental physics experiments.

Abstract

Lorentz invariance belongs to the fundamental symmetries of nature. It is basic for the successful Standard Model of Particle Physics. Nevertheless, within the last decades, Lorentz invariance has been repeatedly questioned. In fact, there exist different research programs addressing this problem. We argue that a most adequate understanding of a possible violation of Lorentz invariance is achieved in the framework of the gauge-theoretic approach to gravity: a non-vanishing nonmetricity of a metric-affine geometry of spacetime heralds the violation of the Lorentz symmetry.