Anomalous cosmic-microwave-background polarization and gravitational chirality.
We consider the possibility that gravity breaks parity, with left and right-handed gravitons coupling to matter with a different Newton's constant and show that this would affect their zero-point vacuum fluctuations during inflation. Should there be a cosmic background of gravity waves, the effect would translate into anomalous cosmic microwave background polarization. Nonvanishing temperature-magnetic (TB) mode [and electric-magnetic mode] components emerge, revealing interesting experimental targets. Indeed, if reasonable chirality is present a TB measurement would provide the easiest way to detect a gravitational wave background. We speculate on the theoretical implications of such an observation.
Contaldi
Carlo R
CR
Theoretical Physics, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BZ, United Kingdom.
Magueijo
João
J
Smolin
Lee
L