An astronomical search for evidence of new physics: Limits on gravity-induced birefringence from the magnetic white dwarf RE J0317-853

Oliver Preuss, Mark P. Haugan, Sami K. Solanki, and Stefan Jordan
Phys. Rev. D 70, 067101 – Published 21 September 2004

Abstract

The coupling of the electromagnetic field directly with gravitational gauge fields leads to new physical effects that can be tested using astronomical data. Here we consider a particular case for closer scrutiny, a specific nonminimal coupling of torsion to electromagnetism, which enters into a metric-affine geometry of space-time. We show that under the assumption of this nonminimal coupling, space-time is birefringent in the presence of such a gravitational field. This leads to the depolarization of light emitted from extended astrophysical sources. We use polarimetric data of the magnetic white dwarf RE J0317-853 to set, for the very first time, constraints on the essential coupling constant for this effect, giving k2(19m)2.

  • Received 7 November 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.70.067101

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Oliver Preuss1, Mark P. Haugan2, Sami K. Solanki1, and Stefan Jordan3,4

  • 1Max-Planck-Institut für Aeronomie, D-37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany
  • 2Department of Physics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
  • 3Universität Tübingen, Institut für Astronomie und Astrophysik, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
  • 4Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 70, Iss. 6 — 15 September 2004

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