Abstract
We raise the question of whether velocities of left and right circularly-polarized photons might be different (for reasons other than the well-known Faraday effect). Such a difference could manifest itself either in the time profiles of pulsed or bursting astronomical sources or in the rotation of the direction of polarization of linearly polarized radiation from them. The existing observations of pulsars, gamma ray bursters, and quasar jets are used to set limits to the difference in speed, |c(L) - c(R)|/ c between 10 -17 and 10 -32 .
Highlights
Our notions of the properties of the vacuum, as well as of the role of symmetries and their breaking, have gone through fundamental changes during this century
Space is known to be pervaded by electromagnetic fields and waves, by atoms, molecules, ions, and electrons, and by gravitational fields and waves
We have already remarked that the existing limits can typically be lowered only about an order of magnitude in Δc/c, even with observations explicitly designed to look for differences in propagation of photons of the two circular polarizations
Summary
Our notions of the properties of the vacuum, as well as of the role of symmetries and their breaking, have gone through fundamental changes during this century. It is expected to harbour seas of three species of neutrinos (with a presumed excess of left-handed ones, at least for the electron neutrino) and a Higgs field. Some of these are known to have left-right asymmetries of various kinds, and others are conjectured to,including the gravitational field (Morrison & Gold 1957; Schiff 1958; Leitner & Okubo 1964). Maurice Goldhaber & Virginia Trimble (Zombeck 1990), where Δφ is rotation in radians, λ is the wavelength of the observed radiation in meters, ne is the electron density per cubic centimeter (more massive charged particles being much less effective), Β is the magnetic field along theline of sight in Gauss, and z is distance to the source in parsecs. The longest radio wavelengths may be the most fruitful hunting ground, but they are the most difficult to explore
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
