Combined Search for Lorentz Violation in Short-Range Gravity.

Area of Science:

• Experimental Physics
• Gravitational Physics
• Fundamental Symmetries

Background:

• Short-range gravity experiments at the submillimeter scale are crucial for testing the inverse-square law.
• These experiments serve as sensitive probes of fundamental symmetries, including Lorentz invariance.
• Deviations from the inverse-square law could indicate new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform the first independent measurements of nonrelativistic coefficients for Lorentz violation in the pure-gravity sector.
• To enhance the sensitivity to various types of Lorentz violation by an order of magnitude.
• To constrain theories involving quadratic curvature derivatives and curvature couplings.

Main Methods:

• Combined analysis of data from multiple short-range gravity experiments (HUST-2015, HUST-2011, IU-2012, IU-2002).
• Focus on experiments conducted at the submillimeter scale.
• Utilizing precision measurements to probe deviations from the gravitational inverse-square law.

Main Results:

• Achieved measurements of 14 nonrelativistic coefficients for Lorentz violation at the 10^{-9} m^2 level.
• Improved sensitivity to numerous types of Lorentz violation by an order of magnitude.
• Provided the first independent constraints on specific Lorentz-violating gravitational interactions.

Conclusions:

• Short-range gravity experiments are powerful tools for testing Lorentz invariance.
• The study sets new, stringent limits on Lorentz violation in the gravitational sector.
• Results contribute to constraining theoretical models beyond the Standard Model of particle physics and General Relativity.