Quantum Gravity
VHE Gamma Rays as Probes of Space-Time
Due to their extremely short wavelengths and long propagation
distances, very high energy gamma-rays from distant objects such as active galaxies (AGN) and gamma ray bursts (GRBs)
are sensitive to the microscopic structure of space-time. Small-scale
perturbations of the smooth space-time continuum should manifest
themselves in a tiny energy dependence of the speed of light. Such a
violation of the Lorentz invariance, on which the theory of special
relativity is based, is present in some quantum gravity (QG) models.
Burst-like events of gamma-ray production, e.g. in active galaxies,
allow this energy-dependent dispersion of gamma-rays to be probed and
can be used to place limits on certain classes of quantum gravity
scenarios, or may possibly lead to the discovery of effects associated
with Planck-scale physics.
CTA could detect characteristic time-scales and QG effects in AGN
light curves (if indeed any exist) on a routine basis without the
requirement for exceptional source flux states and in short observation
times. CTA could resolve time scales as small as few seconds in AGN
light curves and QG effects down to 10 s.
Very good sensitivity at energies >1 TeV is especially important
for probing QG effects at higher orders. Fermi recently presented
results based on observations of a GRB which may rule out
linear-in-energy variations of the speed of light up to 1.2× the Planck
scale. To test quadratic or higher order dependencies, the sensitivity
provided by CTA will be needed.
Further Reading
Hossenfelder, Experimental Search for Quantum Gravity, available via http://arxiv.org/abs/1010.3420
Stecker, Gamma-ray and Cosmic-ray Tests of Lorentz Invariance
Violation and Quantum Gravity Models and Their Implications, available
via http://arxiv.org/abs/0912.0500
Bolmont et al. (H.E.S.S. Collaboration), Search for Lorentz
Invariance Violation effects with PKS 2155-304 flaring period in 2006 by
H.E.S.S, available via http://arxiv.org/abs/0904.3184
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The effects of quantum gravity: in this
illustration, the purple photon carries a million times more energy than
the yellow photon. Some theories of quantum gravity predict time-delays
for higher energy photons, which interact more strongly with 'foamy'
space-time. (Image credit: NASA/Sonoma State University/Aurore
Simonnet) |