Probing Lorentz-invariance-violation with quantum coherence of Unruh-DeWitt detector

Abstract

Testing Lorentz invariance violation (LIV) is notoriously difficult, as its characteristic energy scale, $M_\star$, in modified dispersion relations typically lies beyond current experimental reach. To enable a low-energy probe, we investigate the quantum coherence of an inertial Unruh-DeWitt (UDW) detector interacting with a massless scalar field with a Lorentz-violating dispersion relation $ω_{|\textbf{k}|}=|\textbf{k}|f(|\textbf{k}|/M_\star)$. Unlike the Lorentz-invariant case where quantum coherence is rapidity-independent, we find for the Lorentz-violating quantum field case the dynamics of detector's quantum coherence exhibits a strong dependence on its rapidity -- offering a potential low-energy signature of LIV. Applying this to the polymer-quantized scalar field theory inspired by loop quantum gravity, we show that the detector's quantum coherence exhibits a pronounced dependence on rapidity and undergoes a sharp transition near a critical rapidity $β_c \approx 1.3675$, a value within reach of existing facilities like the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. We also show how the detector's rapidity and its energy-level spacing enhance the response to the test of LIV. Our results establish quantum coherence as a sensitive and practical probe of LIV, providing a complementary avenue for testing quantum gravity-induced modifications to field theory.