Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: At Planck scale, spacetime is "foamy" because of quantum fluctuations predicted by quantum gravity. Here we consider the possibility of using spacetime foam-induced phase incoherence of light from distant galaxies and gamma-ray bursters to probe Planck-scale physics. In particular, we examine the cumulative effects of spacetime fluctuations over a huge distance. Our analysis shows that they are far below what is required in this approach to shed light on the foaminess of spacetime.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
DOI: 10.1086/377121
Authors: Y. Jack Ng, W. A. Christiansen, H. van Dam
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: U.S. Department of Energy
OpenAlex ID: W1992476023