Inverse compton testing of fundamental physics and the cosmic background radiation

Abstract

The recent precise Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMB) measurements by COBE and other facilities can provide interesting possibilities for the experimental checking of some basic physical parameters. In this context the inverse Compton scattering of highly monochromatic and parallel electron beams on laser photons is proposed for testing special relativity and related basic principles. For CEBAF and SLC parameters, for example, one can expect a precision for the isotropy of the speed of light dc(θ)/c ≈ 10−13 – 10−14 and an upper limit for the hypothetical fundamental length λf ≃ 10−22 – 10−23 cm. In particular, of special interest can be the checking of the isotropy of the speed of light with respect the direction of the CMB dipole (a kind of Michelson-Morley experiment relative to the absolute "rest" coordinate system).