A search in gamma-ray burst data for nonconstancy of the velocity of light

Ellis, J; Farakos, K; Mavromatos, NE; Mitsou, VA; Nanopoulos, DV

dc.contributor.author	Ellis, J	en
dc.contributor.author	Farakos, K	en
dc.contributor.author	Mavromatos, NE	en
dc.contributor.author	Mitsou, VA	en
dc.contributor.author	Nanopoulos, DV	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:15:27Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:15:27Z
dc.date.issued	2000	en
dc.identifier.issn	0004-637X	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/13504
dc.subject	gamma rays : bursts	en
dc.subject	relativity	en
dc.subject.classification	Astronomy & Astrophysics	en
dc.subject.other	QUANTUM-GRAVITY	en
dc.subject.other	CONE FLUCTUATIONS	en
dc.subject.other	LIMITS	en
dc.subject.other	SPACE	en
dc.subject.other	SPEED	en
dc.subject.other	TESTS	en
dc.subject.other	MODEL	en
dc.title	A search in gamma-ray burst data for nonconstancy of the velocity of light	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1086/308825	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/308825	en
heal.language	English	en
heal.publicationDate	2000	en
heal.abstract	We discuss possible tests of the constancy of the velocity of light using distant astrophysical sources such as gamma-ray bursters (GRBs), active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and pulsars. This speculative quest may be motivated by some models of quantum fluctuations in the spacetime background, and we discuss explicitly how an energy-dependent variation in photon velocity delta c/c similar to -E/M arises in one particular quantum-gravitational model. We then discuss how data on GRBs may be used to set limits on variations in the velocity of light, which we illustrate using BATSE and OSSE observations of the GRBs that have recently been identified optically and for which precise redshifts are available. We show how a regression analysis can be performed to look for an energy-dependent effect that should correlate with redshift. The present data yield a limit M greater than or similar to 10(15) GeV for the quantum gravity scale. We discuss the prospects for improving this analysis using future data, and how one might hope to distinguish any positive signal from astrophysical effects associated with the sources.	en
heal.publisher	UNIV CHICAGO PRESS	en
heal.journalName	ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1086/308825	en
dc.identifier.isi	ISI:000087661900012	en
dc.identifier.volume	535	en
dc.identifier.issue	1	en
dc.identifier.spage	139	en
dc.identifier.epage	151	en