Some aspects of the phenomenology of canonical noncommutative spacetimes

TL;DR

This paper explores how string-motivated canonical noncommutative spacetimes could produce observable effects in high-energy astrophysical phenomena, emphasizing the importance of IR/UV mixing in selecting experimental tests.

Contribution

It highlights the unique phenomenological implications of canonical noncommutative spacetimes and discusses suitable high-energy astrophysical contexts for testing these effects.

Findings

IR/UV mixing affects phenomenological predictions

High-energy cosmic rays are promising probes

Certain gamma-ray observations may reveal noncommutative effects

Abstract

I describe some phenomenological contexts in which it is possible to investigate effects induced by (string-motivated) canonical noncommutative spacetime. Due to the peculiar structure of the theory the usual criteria adopted for the choice of experimental contexts in which to test a theory may not be applicable here; care is required in taking into account the effects of IR/UV mixing. This invites one to consider contexts involving particles of relatively high energies, like high-energy cosmic rays and certain high-energy gamma rays observed from distant astrophysical sources.