Planck-scale gravity test at PETRA -- Letter of Intent

Abstract

Quantum or torsion gravity models predict unusual properties of space-time at very short distances. In particular, near the Planck length, around $10^{-35}m$, empty space may behave as a crystal, singly or doubly refractive. This hypothesis, however, remains uncheckable for any direct measurement since the smallest distance accessible in experiment is about $10^{-19}m$ at the LHC. Here we propose a laboratory test to measure space birefringence or refractivity induced by gravity. A sensitivity $10^{-31}m$ for doubly and $10^{-28}m$ for singly refractive vacuum could be reached with PETRA 6 GeV beam exploring UV laser Compton scattering.