The CTA Sensitivity to Lorentz-Violating Effects on the Gamma-Ray Horizon

Abstract

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 $\gamma +\gamma \to e^{+}+e^{-}$ 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.

13 pages, 4 figures, typos corrected + references added, results unchanged. Matches version accepted by JCAP

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Cited by in corpus (23)

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• Improved limits on Lorentz invariance violation from astrophysical gamma-ray sources
• On the detectability of Lorentz invariance violation through anomalous multi-TeV $\gamma$-ray spectra of blazars
• Probing Quantum Gravity with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes
• Gamma-ray Cosmology and Tests of Fundamental Physics
• Limits on the Lorentz Invariance Violation from UHECR astrophysics
• Lorentz Invariance Violation Effects on Gamma-Gamma Absorption and Compton Scattering
• Constraints on Lorentz Invariance and CPT Violation using Optical Photometry and Polarimetry of Active Galaxies BL Lacertae and S5 B0716+714
• Hořava-Lifshitz cosmology in light of new data
• Fundamental physics with blazar spectra: a critical appraisal
• Energy Scale of Lorentz Violation in Rainbow Gravity
• Limits on Lorentz invariance violation at the Planck energy scale from H.E.S.S. spectral analysis of the blazar Mrk 501
• Searching Lorentz invariance violation from cosmic photon attenuation
• Revisiting Lorentz invariance violation from GRB 221009A
• Expected Signature For the Lorentz Invariance Violation Effects on $\gamma -\gamma$ Absorption
• The Exceptional Flare of Mrk 501 in 2014: Combined Observations with H.E.S.S. and FACT
• Approaches to photon absorption in a Lorentz invariance violation scenario
• Prospects On Testing Lorentz Invariance Violation With The Cherenkov Telescope Array
• Testing new-physics scenarios with the combined LHAASO and Carpet-3 fluence spectrum of GRB 221009A: axion-like particles and Lorentz-invariance violation
• Revisiting the evidences for spectral anomalies in distant blazars: new data on the photon-ALP mixing
• Is There New Physics Beyond 30 TeV in the BOAT?