Tests of Quantum Gravity and Large Extra Dimensions Models Using High Energy Gamma Ray Observations

Abstract

Observations of the multi-TeV spectra of the nearby BL Lac objects Mkn 421 and Mkn 501 exhibit the high energy cutoffs predicted to be the result of intergalactic annihilation interactions, primarily with IR photons having a flux level as determined by various astronomical observations. After correcting for such intergalactic absorption, these spectra can be explained within the framework of synchrotron self-Compton emission models. Stecker & Glashow have shown that the existence of this annihilation via electron-positron pair production puts strong constraints on Lorentz violation. Such constraints have important implications for quantum gravity models and large extra dimension models. We also discuss the implications of observations of high energy gamma-rays from the Crab Nebula on constraining quantum gravity models.