Quantum or torsion gravity models predict unusual properties of space-time at very short distances. In particular, near the Planck length, around 10 -35 m, empty space may behave as a crystal, singly or doubly refractive. This hypothesis, however, remains uncheckable for any direct measurement since the smallest distance accessible in experiment is about 10 -19 m at the LHC. Here we propose a laboratory test to measure space birefringence or refractivity induced by gravity. A sensitivity 10 -31 m for doubly and 10 -28 m for singly refractive vacuum could be reached with PETRA 6 GeV beam exploring UV laser Compton scattering.
KeywordsExperimental Test of VacuumPlanck EnergyGravitationLaser Compton ScatteringCharged Particle Beams in Accelerators
Lipps, F.W. and Tolhoek, H.A. (1954) Physica, 20, 385-405.
McMaster, W.H. (1961) Reviews of Modern Physics, 33, 8-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.33.8
Sudarsky, D., Urrutia, L. and Vucetich, H. (2002) Physical Review Letters, 89, Article ID: 231301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.231301
Marx, M., Chrin, J., Martin, I., Muekaphael and Schaa, V.R.W., Eds. (2011) Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators. 10th European Workshop on Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators, Hamburg, 16-18 May 2011, TUPD21, 350.
Balewski, K., Brefeld, W., Decking, W., Franz, H., Rohlsberger, R. and Weckert, E., Eds. (2004) PETRA III: A Low Emittance Synchrotron Radiation Source. Technical Design Report, DESY-04-035.
Machine Parameters PETRA III (Design Values). http://hasylab.desy.de/facilities/petra_iii/machine/parameters/
Accelerators at DESY, PETRA III. http://m.desy.de/accelerators/
Aumeyr, T., Blair, G.A., Boogert, S., Boorman, G., Bosco, A., Balewski, K., Elsen, E., Gharibyan, V., et al. (2010) A 2-D Laser-Wire Scanner at PETRA-III. 1st International Particle Accelerator Conference, Tokyo, 23-28 May 2010, MOPE069, 1137-1139.
Chrin, J., Marx, M., Schaa, V.R.W. and Schlott, V., Eds. (2009) Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators. 9th European Workshop on Beam Diagnostics and Instrumentation for Particle Accelerators, Basel, 25-27 May 2009, MOPD20, 92.
Chao, A.W. and Tigner, M., Eds. (2006) Handbook of Accelerator Physics and Engineering. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, 702 p.
Klein, R., Thornagel, R., Ulm, G., Mayer, T. and Kuske, P. (1997) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 384, 293-298. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9002(96)00899-6
Alexander, G. and Ilka, F., Eds. (2012) Accelerators 2011: Highlights and Annual Report. DESY, Hamburg, 87 p.
Le Duff, J. (1985) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 239, 83-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-9002(85)90702-8
Telnov, V.I. (1987) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 260, 304-308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-9002(87)90093-3
Dehning, B., Melissinos, A.C., Perrone, F., Rizzo, C. and von Holtey, G. (1990) Physics Letters B, 249, 145-148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0370-2693(90)90540-M
Bernardini, C., Corazza, G.F., Di Giugno, G., Ghigo, G., Querzoli, R., Haissinski, J., Marin, P. and Touschek, B. (1963) Physical Review Letters, 10, 407-409. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.10.407
Muchnoi, N., Schreiber, H.J. and Viti, M. (2009) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 607, 340-366.
Kube, G., Balewski, K., Brenger, A., Duhme, H.T., Gharibyan, V., Klute, J., Knaack, K., Krouptchenkov, I., et al. (2008) Overview of the Diagnostics Systems of PETRA III. 11th Biennial European Particle Accelerator Conference, Genoa, 23-27 June 2008, TUPC111, 1323-1325.
Anthony, P.L., et al. and SLAC E158 Collaboration (2004) Physical Review Letters, 92, Article ID: 181602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.181602
Anthony, P.L., et al. and SLAC E158 Collaboration (2005) Physical Review Letters, 95, Article ID: 081601. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.95.081601
Maas, F.E. and the A4-Collaboration (2005) The European Physical Journal A—Hadrons and Nuclei, 24, 47-50.
Maas, F.E. and the A4-Collaboration (2008) AIP Conference Proceedings, 1056, 98-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3013086
Barber, D.P., Bremer, H.D., Boge, M., Brinkmann, R., Bruckner, W., Buscher, C., Chapman, M., Coulter, K., et al. (1993) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 329, 79-111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0168-9002(93)90924-7
Sokolov, A.A. and Ternov, I.M. (1964) Soviet Physics—Doklady, 8, 1203-1205.