Finsler-type modification of the Coulomb law

Abstract

Finsler geometry is a natural generalization of pseudo-Riemannian geometry. It can be motivated e.g. by a modified version of the Ehlers-Pirani-Schild axiomatic approach to space-time theory. Also, some scenarios of quantum gravity suggest a modified dispersion relation which could be phrased in terms of Finsler geometry. On a Finslerian space-time, the universality of free fall is still satisfied but local Lorentz invariance is violated in a way not covered by standard Lorentz invariance violation schemes. In this paper we consider a Finslerian modification of Maxwell's equations. The corrections to the Coulomb potential and to the hydrogen energy levels are computed. We find that the Finsler metric corrections yield a splitting of the energy levels. Experimental data provide bounds for the Finsler parameters.