arXiv subjects

Giovanni Amelino-Camelia

Publications and source records attributed to Giovanni Amelino-Camelia.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

The three perspectives on the quantum-gravity problem and their implications for the fate of Lorentz symmetry

Each approach to the quantum-gravity problem originates from expertise in one or another area of theoretical physics. The particle-physics perspective encourages one to attempt to reproduce in quantum gravity as much as possible of the successes of the Standard Model of particle physics, and therefore, as done in String Theory, the core features of quantum gravity are described in terms of graviton-like exchange in a background classical spacetime. From the general-relativity perspective it is natural to renounce to any reference to a background spacetime, and to describe spacetime in a way that takes into account the in-principle limitations of measurements. The Loop Quantum Gravity approach and the approaches based on noncommutative geometry originate from this general-relativity perspective. The condensed-matter perspective, which has been adopted in a few recent quantum-gravity proposals, naturally leads to scenarios in which some familiar properties of spacetime are only emergent, just like, for example, some emergent collective degrees of freedom are relevant to the description of certain physical systems only near a critical point. Both from the general-relativity perspective and from the condensed-matter perspective it is natural to explore the possibility that quantum gravity might have significant implications for the fate of Lorentz symmetry in the Planckian regime. From the particle-physics perspective there is instead no obvious reason to renounce to exact Lorentz symmetry, although (``spontaneous'') Lorentz symmetry breaking is of course possible. A fast-growing phenomenological programme looking for Planck-scale departures from Lorentz symmetry can contribute to this ongoing debate.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2003

Fundamental physics in space: a Quantum-Gravity perspective

I consider the possibility that space experiments be used to search for quantum properties of spacetime. On the basis of recent quantum-gravity results, I argue that insight on some quantum properties of spacetime can be obtained with experiments planned for the International Space Station, such as AMS and EUSO, and with satellite gamma-ray telescopes, such as GLAST.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Implications of Spacetime Quantization for the Bahcall-Waxman Neutrino Bound

There is growing interest in quantum-spacetime models in which small departures from Lorentz symmetry are governed by the Planck scale. In particular, several studies have considered the possibility that these small violations of Lorentz symmetry may affect various astrophysical observations, such as the evaluation of the GZK limit for cosmic rays, the interaction of TeV photons with the Far Infrared Background and the arrival time of photons with different energies from cosmological sources. We show that the same Planck-scale departures from Lorentz symmetry that lead to a modification of the GZK limit which would be consistent with the observations reported by AGASA, also have significant implications for the evaluation of the Bahcall-Waxman bound on the flux of high-energy neutrinos produced by photo-meson interactions in sources of size not much larger than the proton photo-meson mean free path.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2003

Proposal of a second generation of quantum-gravity-motivated Lorentz-symmetry tests: sensitivity to effects suppressed quadratically by the Planck scale

Over the last few years the study of possible Planck-scale departures from classical Lorentz symmetry has been one of the most active areas of quantum-gravity research. We now have a satisfactory description of the fate of Lorentz symmetry in the most popular noncommutative spacetimes and several studies have been devoted to the fate of Lorentz symmetry in loop quantum gravity. Remarkably there are planned experiments with enough sensitivity to reveal these quantum-spacetime effects, if their magnitude is only linearly suppressed by the Planck length. Unfortunately, in some quantum-gravity scenarios even the strongest quantum-spacetime effects are suppressed by at least two powers of the Planck length, and many authors have argued that it would be impossible to test these quadratically-suppressed effects. I here observe that advanced cosmic-ray observatories and neutrino observatories can provide the first elements of an experimental programme testing the possibility of departures from Lorentz symmetry that are quadratically Planck-length suppressed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2003

Hopf-algebra description of noncommutative-spacetime symmetries

In the study of certain noncommutative versions of Minkowski spacetime there is still a large ambiguity concerning the characterization of their symmetries. Adopting as our case study the kappaMinkowski noncommutative space-time, on which a large literature is already available, we propose a line of analysis of noncommutative-spacetime symmetries that relies on the introduction of a Weyl map (connecting a given function in the noncommutative Minkowski with a corresponding function in commutative Minkowski) and of a compatible notion of integration in the noncommutative spacetime. We confirm (and we establish more robustly) previous suggestions that the commutative-spacetime notion of Lie-algebra symmetries must be replaced, in the noncommutative-spacetime context, by the one of Hopf-algebra symmetries. We prove that in kappaMinkowski it is possible to construct an action which is invariant under a Poincare-like Hopf algebra of symmetries with 10 generators, in which the noncommutativity length scale has the role of relativistic invariant. The approach here adopted does leave one residual ambiguity, which pertains to the description of the translation generators, but our results, independently of this ambiguity, are sufficient to clarify that some recent studies (gr-qc/0212128 and hep-th/0301061), which argued for an operational indistiguishability between theories with and without a length-scale relativistic invariant, implicitly assumed that the underlying spacetime would be classical.

hep-th↗

arXiv2003

Quantum symmetry, the cosmological constant and Planck scale phenomenology

We present a simple algebraic argument for the conclusion that the low energy limit of a quantum theory of gravity must be a theory invariant, not under the Poincare group, but under a deformation of it parameterized by a dimensional parameter proportional to the Planck mass. Such deformations, called kappa-Poincare algebras, imply modified energy-momentum relations of a type that may be observable in near future experiments. Our argument applies in both 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions and assumes only 1) that the low energy limit of a quantum theory of gravity must involve also a limit in which the cosmological constant is taken very small with respect to the Planck scale and 2) that in 3+1 dimensions the physical energy and momenta of physical elementary particles is related to symmetries of the full quantum gravity theory by appropriate renormalization depending on Lambda l^2_{Planck}. The argument makes use of the fact that the cosmological constant results in the symmetry algebra of quantum gravity being quantum deformed, as a consequence when the limit Λl^2_{Planck} -> 0 is taken one finds a deformed Poincare invariance. We are also able to isolate what information must be provided by the quantum theory in order to determine which presentation of the kappa-Poincare algebra is relevant for the physical symmetry generators and, hence, the exact form of the modified energy-momentum relations. These arguments imply that Lorentz invariance is modified as in proposals for doubly special relativity, rather than broken, in theories of quantum gravity, so long as those theories behave smoothly in the limit the cosmological constant is taken to be small.

hep-th↗

arXiv2003

Quantum-gravity-motivated Lorentz-symmetry tests with laser interferometers

We consider the implications for laser interferometry of the quantum-gravity-motivated modifications in the laws of particle propagation, which are presently being considered in attempts to explain puzzling observations of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. We show that there are interferometric setups in which the Planck-scale effect on propagation leads to a characteristic signature. A naive estimate is encouraging with respect to the possibility of achieving Planck-scale sensitivity, but we also point out some severe technological challenges which would have to be overcome in order to achieve this sensitivity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Phenomenology of Particle Production and Propagation in String-Motivated Canonical Noncommutative Spacetime

We outline a phenomenological programme for the search of effects induced by (string-motivated) canonical noncommutative spacetime. The tests we propose are based, in analogy with a corresponding programme developed over the last few years for the study of Lie-algebra noncommutative spacetimes, on the role of the noncommutativity parameters in the $E(p)$ dispersion relation. We focus on the role of deformed dispersion relations in particle-production collision processes, where the noncommutativity parameters would affect the threshold equation, and in the dispersion of gamma rays observed from distant astrophysical sources. We emphasize that the studies here proposed have the advantage of involving particles of relatively high energies, and may therefore be less sensitive to "contamination" (through IR/UV mixing) from the UV sector of the theory. We also explore the possibility that the relevant deformation of the dispersion relations could be responsible for the experimentally-observed violations of the GZK cutoff for cosmic rays and could have a role in the observation of hard photons from distant astrophysical sources.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

Group velocity in noncommutative spacetime

The realization that forthcoming experimental studies, such as the ones planned for the GLAST space telescope, will be sensitive to Planck-scale deviations from Lorentz symmetry has increased interest in noncommutative spacetimes in which this type of effects is expected. We focus here on $κ$-Minkowski spacetime, a much-studied example of Lie-algebra noncommutative spacetime, but our analysis appears to be applicable to a more general class of noncommutative spacetimes. A technical controversy which has significant implications for experimental testability is the one concerning the $κ$-Minkowski relation between group velocity and momentum. A large majority of studies adopted the relation $v = dE(p)/dp$, where $E(p)$ is the $κ$-Minkowski dispersion relation, but recently some authors advocated alternative formulas. While in these previous studies the relation between group velocity and momentum was introduced through ad hoc formulas, we rely on a direct analysis of wave propagation in $κ$-Minkowski. Our results lead conclusively to the relation $v = dE(p)/dp$. We also show that the previous proposals of alternative velocity/momentum relations implicitly relied on an inconsistent implementation of functional calculus on $κ$-Minkowski and/or on an inconsistent description of spacetime translations.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

Doubly-Special Relativity: First Results and Key Open Problems

I examine the results obtained so far in exploring the recent proposal of theories of the relativistic transformations between inertial observers that involve both an observer-independent velocity scale and an observer-independent length/momentum scale. I also discuss what appear to be the key open issues for this research line.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

On the IR/UV mixing and experimental limits on the parameters of canonical noncommutative spacetimes

We investigate some issues that are relevant for the derivation of experimental limits on the parameters of canonical noncommutative spacetimes. By analyzing a simple Wess-Zumino-type model in canonical noncommutative spacetime with soft supersymmetry breaking we explore the implications of ultraviolet supersymmetry on low-energy phenomenology. The fact that new physics in the ultraviolet can modify low-energy predictions affects significantly the derivation of limits on the noncommutativity parameters based on low-energy data. These are, in an appropriate sense here discussed, ``conditional limits''. We also find that some standard techniques for an effective low-energy description of theories with non-locality at short distance scales are only applicable in a regime where theories in canonical noncommutative spacetime lack any predictivity, because of the strong sensitivity to unknown UV physics. It appears useful to combine high-energy data, from astrophysics, with the more readily available low-energy data.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

Kinematical solution of the UHE-cosmic-ray puzzle without a preferred class of inertial observers

Among the possible explanations for the puzzling observations of cosmic rays above the GZK cutoff there is growing interest in the ones that represent kinematical solutions, based either on general formulations of particle physics with small violations of Lorentz symmetry or on a quantum-gravity-motivated scheme for the breakup of Lorentz symmetry. An unappealing aspect of these cosmic-ray-puzzle solutions is that they require the existence of a preferred class of inertial observers. Here I propose a new kinematical solution of the cosmic-ray puzzle, which does not require the existence of a preferred class of inertial observers. My proposal is a new example of a type of relativistic theories, the so-called "doubly-special-relativity" theories, which have already been studied extensively over the last two years. The core ingredient of the proposal is a deformation of Lorentz transformations in which also the Planck scale $E_p$ (in addition to the speed-of-light scale $c$) is described as an invariant. Just like the introduction of the invariant $c$ requires a deformation of the Galileian transformations into the Lorentz transformations, the introduction of the invariant $E_p$ requires a deformation of the Lorentz transformations, but there is no special class of inertial observers. The Pierre Auger Observatory and the GLAST space telescope should play a key role in future developments of these investigations. I also emphasize that the doubly-special-relativity theory here proposed, besides being the first one to provide a solution for the cosmic-ray puzzle, is also the first one in which a natural description of macroscopic bodies is achieved, and may find applications in the context of a recently-proposed dark-energy scenario.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Doubly Special Relativity

I give a short non-technical review of the results obtained in recent work on "Doubly Special Relativity", the relativistic theories in which the rotation/boost transformations between inertial observers are characterized by two observer-independent scales (the familiar velocity scale, $c$, and a new observer-independent length/momentum scale, naturally identified with the Planck length/momentum). I emphasize the aspects relevant for the search of a solution to the cosmic-ray paradox.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

On the fate of Lorentz symmetry in loop quantum gravity and noncommutative spacetimes

I analyze the deformation of Lorentz symmetry that holds in certain noncommutative spacetimes and the way in which Lorentz symmetry is broken in other noncommutative spacetimes. I also observe that discretization of areas does not necessarily require departures from Lorentz symmetry. This is due to the fact that Lorentz symmetry has no implications for exclusive measurement of the area of a surface, but it governs the combined measurements of the area and the velocity of a surface. In a quantum-gravity theory Lorentz symmetry can be consistent with area discretization, but only when the observables ``area of the surface" and "velocity of the surface" enjoy certain special properties. I argue that the status of Lorentz symmetry in the loop-quantum-gravity approach requires careful scrutiny, since areas are discretized within a formalism that, at least presently, does not include an observable "velocity of the surface". In general it may prove to be very difficult to reconcile Lorentz symmetry with area discretization in theories of canonical quantization of gravity, because a proper description of Lorentz symmetry appears to require that the fundamental/primary role be played by the surface's world-sheet, whose "projection" along the space directions of a given observer describes the observable area, whereas the canonical formalism only allows the introduction as primary entities of observables defined at a fixed (common) time, and the observers that can be considered must share that time variable.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Field Theories on Canonical and Lie-Algebra Noncommutative Spacetimes

Field theories on canonical noncommutative spacetimes, which are being studied also in connection with string theory, and on $κ$-Minkowski spacetime, which is a popular example of Lie-algebra noncommutative spacetime, can be naturally constructed by introducing a suitable generating functional for Green functions in energy-momentum space. Direct reference to a star product is not necessary. It is sufficient to make use of the simple properties that the Fourier transform preserves in these spacetimes and establish the rules for products of wave exponentials that are dictated by the non-commutativity of the coordinates. The approach also provides an elementary description of "planar" and "non-planar" Feynman diagrams. We also comment on the rich phenomenology emerging from the analysis of these theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

Anomalous particle-production thresholds through systematic and non-systematic quantum-gravity effects

A growing number of studies is being devoted to the identification of plausible quantum properties of spacetime which might give rise to observably large effects. The literature on this subject is now relatively large, including studies in string theory, loop quantum gravity and noncommutative geometry. It is useful to divide the various proposals into proposals involving a systematic quantum-gravity effect (an effect that would shift the main/average prediction for a given observable quantity) and proposals involving a non-systematic quantum-gravity effect (an effect that would introduce new fundamental uncertanties in some observable quantity). The case of quantum-gravity-induced particle-production-threshold anomalies, a much studied example of potentially observable quantum-gravity effect, is here used as an example to illustrate the differences to be expected between systematic and non-systematic effects.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Quantum-Gravity Phenomenology: Status and Prospects

Over the last few years part of the quantum-gravity community has adopted a more optimistic attitude toward the possibility of finding experimental contexts providing insight on non-classical properties of spacetime. I review those quantum-gravity phenomenology proposals which were instrumental in bringing about this change of attitude, and I discuss the prospects for the short-term future of quantum-gravity phenomenology.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

Quantum-gravity phenomenology with gamma rays and UHE cosmic rays

In recent years several ideas for experimental searches of effects induced by quantum properties of space-time have been discussed. Some of these ideas concern the role in quantum spacetime of the ordinary Lorentz symmetry of classical flat spacetime. Deviations from ordinary (classical) Lorentz symmetry are now believed to be rather natural in non-commutative space-times, models based on String Theory and models based on Loop Quantum Gravity. Observations of gamma rays and ultra-high-energy cosmic rays could play a key role in the development of this research programme.

astro-ph↗