Detecting Vanishing Dimensions Via Primordial Gravitational Wave Astronomy

Feb, 2011
5 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.Lett. 106 (2011) 101101
e-Print:

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Abstract: (arXiv)
Lower-dimensionality at higher energies has manifold theoretical advantages as recently pointed out. Moreover, it appears that experimental evidence may already exists for it - a statistically significant planar alignment of events with energies higher than TeV has been observed in some earlier cosmic ray experiments. We propose a robust and independent test for this new paradigm. Since (2+1)-dimensional spacetimes have no gravitational degrees of freedom, gravity waves cannot be produced in that epoch. This places a universal maximum frequency at which primordial waves can propagate, marked by the transition between dimensions. We show that this cut-off frequency may be accessible to future gravitational wave detectors such as LISA.
  • 04.30.-w
  • 95.85.Sz
  • gravitational radiation: primordial
  • gravitational radiation: frequency
  • dimension: 3