The CTA sensitivity to Lorentz-violating effects on the gamma-ray horizon

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2014/06/005· OSTI ID:22373540

Fairbairn, M.; Ellis, J. ^[1]; Nilsson, A. ^[2]; Hinton, J.

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1. Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology Group, Physics Department, King's College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS (United Kingdom)
2. Engineering Physics, Lund University, Sölvegatan 27, Lund (Sweden)

The arrival of TeV-energy photons from distant galaxies is expected to be affected by their QED interaction with intergalactic radiation fields through electron-positron pair production. In theories where high-energy photons violate Lorentz symmetry, the kinematics of the process γ+γ→e{sup +}+e{sup −} is altered and the cross section suppressed. Consequently, one would expect more of the highest-energy photons to arrive if QED is modified by Lorentz violation than if it is not. We estimate the sensitivity of Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) to changes in the gamma-ray horizon of the Universe due to Lorentz violation, and find that it should be competitive with other leading constraints.

• OSTI ID: 22373540
• Journal Information: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 2014, Issue 06; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1475-7516
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
CROSS SECTIONS
ELECTRONS
GALAXIES
GAMMA RADIATION
PAIR PRODUCTION
PHOTONS
POSITRONS
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
SENSITIVITY
SYMMETRY
TELESCOPES
TEV RANGE
UNIVERSE