Constraints on Lorentz invariance violation from HAWC observations of gamma rays above 100 TeV

Understand

Due to the high energies and long distances to the sources, astrophysical observations provide a unique opportunity to test possible signatures of Lorentz invariance violation (LIV).

• Superluminal LIV enables the decay of photons at high energy.
• The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory is among the most sensitive gamma-ray instruments currently operating above 10 TeV.
• HAWC finds evidence of 100 TeV photon emission from at least four astrophysical sources.