Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

LAT Pass 8 Constraints on Lorentz Invariance Violations with GRB090510A

C. A. Brisbois
R. J. Nemiroff

Abstract:

Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs) are direct cross-universe tests of Lorentz Invariance due to their great distances, small time scales, and high-energy emissions. In particular, GRB090510A is important in these types of investigations because it still gives the best constraints on Lorentz Invariance Violation and the only one to constrain it below the Planck scale. Newly released PASS 8 data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope features previously unreconstructed events during GRBs, which may allow for better constraints to be placed on Lorentz Invariance Violation for a given burst. Looking at photons above 100MeV in GRB090510A, there are four events in a time frame of 1ms, including the famous 30GeV photon. Distinct groupings of photons such as this are key to improving limits of this violation, by ruling out or providing evidence for certain classes of quantum gravity.