Gravitational-recoil effects on fermion propagation in space-time foam

Citation
J. Ellis et al., Gravitational-recoil effects on fermion propagation in space-time foam, GEN RELAT G, 32(9), 2000, pp. 1777-1798
Citations number
50
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
GENERAL RELATIVITY AND GRAVITATION
ISSN journal
00017701 → ACNP
Volume
32
Issue
9
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1777 - 1798
Database
ISI
SICI code
0001-7701(200009)32:9<1777:GEOFPI>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
Motivated by the possible experimental opportunities to test quantum gravit y via its effects on high-energy neutrinos propagating through space-time f oam, we discuss how to incorporate spin structures in our D-brane descripti on of gravitational recoil effects in vacuo. We also point to an interestin g analogous condensed-matter system. We use a suitable supersymmetrization of the Born-Infeld action for excited D-brane gravitational backgrounds to argue that energetic fermions may travel slower than the low-energy velocit y of light: delta c/c similar to -E/M. It has been suggested that Gamma-Ray Bursters may emit pulses of neutrinos at energies approaching 10(19) eV: t hese would be observable only if M greater than or similar to 10(27) GeV.