Abstract

A possible birefringence effect that arises in quantum gravity leads to a frequency-dependent rotation of the polarization angle of linearly polarized emission from distant sources. Here we use the UV/optical polarization data of the afterglows of GRB 020813 and GRB 021004 to constrain this effect. We find an upper limit on the Gambini & Pulin birefringence parameter η<2×107| \eta | <2\times 10^{-7}. This limit is of 3 orders better than the previous limits from observations of AGNs and of the Crab pulsar. Much stronger limits may be obtained by the future observation of polarization of the prompt γ\gamma-rays.Comment: typos correcte

    Similar works

    Full text

    thumbnail-image

    Available Versions

    Last time updated on 03/12/2019