Recent advancements in searches for Lorentz invariance violation with gamma rays
by
1/1-2 - Aula "C. Voci"
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia - Edificio Marzolo
Understanding quantum gravity (QG) is one of the most significant challenges in fundamental physics. A smoking gun signature of QG effects would be a violation of Lorentz invariance (LIV) at very high energies. LIV is often modelled by introducing energy-dependent corrections to the standard photon dispersion relation, which can affect photon propagation and interaction. These tiny effects are vastly below sensitivities of present-day laboratories. However, gamma rays of very high energies, commonly emitted from astrophysical sources, turn out to be excellent probes of QG. Cosmological distances that they cross serve as a natural amplifier for the LIV effects. While no deviations from the special relativistic predictions have been detected, strong constraints have been set on modified photon dispersion relations.
In this talk, we will give a general introduction to LIV, review possible effects of LIV on gamma rays, explain the process of testing implications of modified photon dispersion relations, and point out the main difficulties. The most recent analysis methods and results will be presented and discussed.
Michele Doro
