Lorentz Invariance with an Invariant Energy Scale

João Magueijo and Lee Smolin
Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 190403 – Published 26 April 2002
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Abstract

We propose a modification of special relativity in which a physical energy, which may be the Planck energy, joins the speed of light as an invariant, in spite of a complete relativity of inertial frames and agreement with Einstein’s theory at low energies. This is accomplished by a nonlinear modification of the action of the Lorentz group on momentum space, generated by adding a dilatation to each boost in such a way that the Planck energy remains invariant. The associated algebra has unmodified structure constants. We also discuss the resulting modifications of field theory and suggest a modification of the equivalence principle which determines how the new theory is embedded in general relativity.

  • Received 18 December 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.190403

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

João Magueijo1 and Lee Smolin1,2

  • 1Theoretical Physics, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom
  • 2Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Canada N2J 2W9 and Department of Physics, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada N2L 3G1

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Issue

Vol. 88, Iss. 19 — 13 May 2002

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