Work

Light speed variation in a string theory model for space-time foam

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: We revisit a supersymmetric string model for space-time foam, in which bosonic open-string states, such as photons, can possess quantum-gravity-induced velocity fluctuations in vacuum. We argue that the suggestion of light speed variation with lower bound from gamma-ray burst photon time delays can serve as a support for this string-inspired framework, through connecting the experimental finding with model predictions. We also derive the value of the effective quantum-gravity mass in this framework, and give a qualitative study on the model-dependent coefficients. Constraints from birefringent effects and/or photon decays, including the novel γ-decay constraint obtained here from the latest Tibet ASγ near-PeV photon, are also found to be consistent with predictions in such a quantum-gravity scheme. Future observation that can testify further the theory is suggested.

Source: Physics Letters B

DOI: 10.1016/j.physletb.2021.136443

Authors: Chengyi Li, Bo-Qiang Ma

Institutions: Peking University, State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter

Language: English

Topic: Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories

Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Award: G8952338065