Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-02-24
Phys.Lett. B585 (2004) 1-5
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
accepted to Physics Letters B; 8 pages including 2 figures; added references
Scientific paper
10.1016/j.physletb.2004.01.075
Many quantum gravity theories imply that the vacuum is filled with virtual black holes. This paper explores the process in which high energy photons interact with virtual black holes and decay into gravitons and photons of lower energy. The effect requires violation (or modification) of Lorentz invariance and implies that high energy photons cannot propagate over arbitrarily large distances. For the standard Planck mass and the likely form for the interaction cross section, this quantum foam limit becomes $\dist < 450$ Mpc $(\egam/10^7 {\rm GeV})^{-5}$. For quantum gravity theories that posit a lower Planck scale, the interaction rate is larger and the limit is stronger. This paper uses extant observations of gamma rays from cosmological sources to constrain this process for varying values of the Planck mass and a range of forms for the interaction cross sections.
Adams Fred C.
Mbonye Manasse
No associations
LandOfFree
Possible Limits on Photon Propagation from Quantum Gravity and Space-time Foam does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Possible Limits on Photon Propagation from Quantum Gravity and Space-time Foam, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Possible Limits on Photon Propagation from Quantum Gravity and Space-time Foam will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-351982