Introduction to quantum-gravity phenomenology
Dec, 200445 pages
Part of Planck scale effects in astrophysics and cosmology. Proceedings, 40th Karpacs Winter School, Ladek Zdroj, Poland, February 4-14, 2004, 59-100
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- Lect.Notes Phys. 669 (2005) 59-100
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- gr-qc/0412136 [gr-qc]
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Abstract: (arXiv)
After a brief review of the first phase of development of Quantum-Gravity Phenomenology, I argue that this research line is now ready to enter a more advanced phase: while at first it was legitimate to resort to heuristic order-of-magnitude estimates, which were sufficient to establish that sensitivity to Planck-scale effects can be achieved, we should now rely on detailed analyses of some reference test theories. I illustrate this point in the specific example of studies of Planck-scale modifications of the energy/momentum dispersion relation, for which I consider two test theories. Both the photon-stability analyses and the Crab-nebula synchrotron-radiation analyses, which had raised high hopes of ``beyond-Plankian'' experimental bounds, turn out to be rather ineffective in constraining the two test theories. Examples of analyses which can provide constraints of rather wide applicability are the so-called ``time-of-flight analyses'', in the context of observations of gamma-ray bursts, and the analyses of the cosmic-ray spectrum near the GZK scale.Note:
- 46 pages, LaTex. Based on lectures given at the 40th Karpacz Winter School in Theoretical Physics
- lectures: Ladek Zdroj 2004/02/04
- quantum gravity
- violation: Lorentz
- violation: CPT
- space-time: fuzzy
- dispersion relation
- space-time: noncommutative
- loop space
- cosmic radiation
- photon: stability
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