# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes

Lee Smolin*

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics,

31 Caroline Street North, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2Y5, Canada

July 7, 2010

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## Abstract

We study the interplay of non-locality and lorentz invariance in a version of deformed or doubly special relativity (DSR) based on kappa-Minkowski spacetime. We find that Einstein's procedure for an inertial observer to assign coordinates to distant events becomes ambiguous for sufficiently distant events. The accuracy to which two clocks can be synchronized turns out to depend on the distance between them. These are consequences of the non-commutativity of space and time coordinates or a dependence of the speed of light on energy in relativistic theories.

These ambiguities grow with distance and only become relevant for real observations for de-tection the description of gamma of cosmologically rays in stationary distant or moving events. frames They donot near the afflict detector. theinterpretationof Consequently there the is no disagreement between the principles of DSR and the observation that interactions innature are local down to currently observable scales.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## Abstract (cont.)

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## Contents

<table><tr><th>1</th><th>Introduction</th><th>2</th></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>Gamma ray bursts and moving observers</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>2.1 Description of the experiment in the K-Poincare framework.</td><td>3456</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>2.1.1 The moving frame in non-commutative coordinates</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>2.1.2 The moving frame in commuting coordinates</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Coordinate ambiguities for distant events</td><td>7</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Synchronization of distant clocks</td><td>9</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>4.1 Related mathematical issues</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>4.2 A perspective on these results</td><td>11</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Conclusions</td><td>13</td></tr><tr><td>A</td><td>Relationship to other approaches</td><td>14</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>A.1 The claim that DSR implies macroscopic non-locality</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>A.2 Comparison of the results of the different approaches</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>A.3 State of the issue of macroscopic non-locality</td><td>17</td></tr></table>

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 1 Introduction

Deformed or doubly special relativity is an hypothesis about how the principle of the relativity of inertial frames can be made consistent with the existence of a minimal length scale, taken to be the Planck length, Ip[1, 2, 3]. It may also be seen as making possible a maximum momenta for an individual particle. Over the almost decade since it was first proposed DSR has been realized in a number of frameworks. The most developed of these are in 2 + 1 dimensions[4], and these give confidence that the idea can be sensibly realized in the context of a quantum field theory. At the same time, there is not yet a completely developed realization in 3 + 1 dimensions.

relativ-ity of Nonetheless inertial frames there with is an an expectation energy dependence that at least of some the speed versions of light. of the To idea leading combine order the in ipthis would have the form v(E) = c(1— alpElh) (1)

for a dimensionless parameter a. If so, this has implications for observational tests of lorentz invariance at linear order in the Planck length[5].

A major issue in the interpretation of DSR theories has been the presence of non-local effects, at least at the Planck scale. This has been discussed by a number of authors[6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 29, 13]. So far it has been unclear whether these non-local effects destroy the consistency of the theory or exactly what the correct physical interpretation of these non-local effects are. This non-locality is tied up with the realization of lorentz invariance in DSR theories. At issue is whether interactions which are local in one frame of reference, become non-local when described in the coordinates defined by frames moving relative to them. A serious issue raised in [6, 8] is the possibility that the non-local effects generated by lorentz transformations are non-local, in

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 1 Introduction (cont.)

a way that lead to manifest conflict with the body of experimental evidence that supports the postulate that physical interactions are local. An important question to resolve is whether these non-localities compromise the interpretation of experiments underway in which (1) is tested, such as in observations of gamma ray bursts by the Fermi satellite[5].

The present paper has two aims. The first is to study the description of processes in which gamma rays are emitted and detected, as it appears in frames of reference moving with respect to the detectors. We carry this out in a well studied approach to DSR, which is tc—tvlinkowslci spacetime[17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24]. We find that while there are no macroscopic non-localities seen by observers close to the detecor, there are issues with ambiguities in coordinates of distant events.

de-formations The second of special aim of relativity, this paper which is to propose is a limitation a new on feature the spatial of theories extent which to which incorporate an inertial frame can be defined, coming from ambiguities in the procedure for synchronizing clocks which arise due to the non-commutativity of the spacetime geometry or to the energy dependence of the speed of light (1). In special relativity the coordinates of an inertial frame are defined in terms of dis-tant a single events. clock As at we the show origin, here, and this exchanges procedure of light breaks signals down are in used K-Minwkowski to define coordinates spacetime, for so that ambiguities can appear in the coordinates assigned to distant events. This novel effect is a kind of uv/ir mixing, applied to the operational definition of spacetime coordinates. As a consequence, the ambiguities in the coordinates of distant events are not signals of real physical non-localities, and there is no conflict with experimental evidence for locality on macroscopic scales.

These conclusions differ from those of [6], which however works in a different framework, ex-plored based on in different an Appendix. assumptions. The reasons for, and consequences of, this disagreement are

dis-tant In burst, the next from section the point we discuss of view the of description an observer of moving a detector relative of gamma to the rays detector, arriving in ,c-Minkoski from a spacetime. In section 3 we discuss the attribution of coordinates to events far from the origin of a lorentz frame and propose that ambiguities in the coordinates are to be understood as coordinate anal-ysis ambiguities of Einstein's rather procedure than physical for the non-localities. synchronization In section of moving 4 this clocks, view is applied supported to sc-Minkowksi by an spacetime. rel-ativistic but This non-commuting section closes spacetimes. with some general In the conclusion remarks about we comment the physical on interpretation the present status of of the issues discussed here.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2 Gamma ray bursts and moving observers

The focus of this paper is an experiment in which photons from gamma ray bursts are observed to arrive near Earth. Such experiments are of interest because they have already been used to test the hypothesis of an energy dependence of the speed of light, eq (1) [5]. We will be interested in how the experiment is described in terms of the coordinates constructed by different inertial frames, in order to understand the implications for it of the hypothesis that DSR preserves the relativity of inertial frames.

We first describe the experiment in an inertial reference frame which can be assumed to be at rest on the Earth and to have its origin situated at a detector on the Earth. We will call this Alice's

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2 Gamma ray bursts and moving observers (cont.)

frame of reference.

Long ago and far away there was a gamma ray burst. In it there was an event, E, where an atom emitted two gamma rays, yt and 72, both moving in the positive x direction, which we take to be oriented towards the Earth, with energies Et and E2. We will assume that E2 » El. The coordinates of the event 6 in Alice's frame are Ea = (t, x) = (—L/c, —L). We assume that the speed of a photon is given by (1).

Alice has a photon detector at the origin of her coordinates. It consists of a device which amplifies the effect of a photon scattering from an electron. It then contains some electrons, which are passing though the detector, and can be considered to be moving slowly. At a time \( t=0 \), on her clock, the first photon encounters an electron in her detector. This detection event, \( \mathcal{F}_{1} \) then occurs at coordinates \( \mathcal{F}_{1}^{a}=(0,0) \) in her frame. At a later time \( \tau \) the second photon arrives and encounters an electron which is just passing through the detector at that time, which is also amplified. This is the second detection event \( \mathcal{F}_{2} \) which occurs at coordinates \( \mathcal{F}_{2}^{a}=(\tau, 0) \) in her frame \( { }^{1} \).

It is easy to compute that

\[
\tau=\frac{\alpha t_{P} \Delta E L}{\hbar c^{2}}
\]

whereiE=E2 —E1.

We now consider how this experiment is described in a frame of an observer, called Bob, who is in a satellite which passes by Alice with a velocity v at the time t = 0. Let us call this Bob's frame of reference2. We then put the origin of Bob's frame so that the event IT = (0, 0) in Alice's frame has the coordinates yr, (0, 0) in Bob's frame. This implies that the coordinates of events in Bob's frame are found by making a passive lorentz transformation at the event F1.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2.1 Description of the experiment in the K-Poincare framework

To define the lorentz transformation to Bob's frame we work in n-Minkowski spacetime[19, 20, 21, 23, 24). In this framework the Lie algebra of the Poincare group is deformed to a quantum algebra called the n-Poincare algebra. This is to allow the time and space coordinate to fail to commute,

\[
\left[x^{i}, t\right]=i t_{p} x^{i}
\]

This can be further seen as a consequence of a postulate the momentum space is curved.

non-linear A feature action on of n-Minkowski coordinates. Consequently, spacetime is that one the has tt-Poincare some freedom algebra in is defining non-linear what and quantities has a in physi-cal the momentum phase space and of a physical free relativistic energy, particle as would correspond be measured to physical by macroscopic spacetime detectors. coordinates, Some argue cor-rect. that physics Because should this issue be invariant is not resolved under we these will choices, study here while two others hypotheses. argue that The a single first is choice that particles is propagate along worldlines defined in the non-commuting coordinates (xi,t). It has been argued that worldlines defined in these coordinates have an energy-independent speed of light[21, 23, 24]. ambigui-ties. Nonetheless we will see that there are issues with apparent non-localities or coordinate

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2.1 Description of the experiment in the K-Poincare framework (cont.)

com-muting The second set of coordinates, hypothesis is which that physical differ from particles the first propagate by taking along physical worldlines time defined to be measured in a by[21, 26]

\[
T=t+\frac{t_{p}}{h} x^{i} p_{i} e^{-t_{p} E}
\]

\( T \) satisfies \( \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \qquad \q

\[
[T, x^{i}]=0
\]

This choice does lead to an energy dependent speed of light[21, 26J. We consider each in turn.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2.1.1 The moving frame in non-commutative coordinates

We construct the measurements made in Bob's frame of reference by doing the explicit lorentz transformation.

It is important to note that in x-Poincare the effect of a boost is dependent on the energy of the
particle whose trajectory is being boosted. The formulas for carrying out a lorentz transformation
in x-Poincare are given in [23, 24]. A pure boost denoted by a spatial vector w' is given by3

\[
\delta x^{i}=-\omega^{i} t-\frac{1}{E_{p}} \epsilon^{i j k} \omega_{j} L_{k}
\]

\[
\delta t=-\omega \cdot x+t_{p} \omega \cdot N
\]

where Le are the spatial angular momentum generators

\[
L^{i}=\epsilon^{i j k} x_{j} p_{k} e^{-t_{p} E}
\]

and Ni are the generators of deformed boost transformations

\[
N_{i}=-p_{i} e^{-\frac{p_{0}}{E_{p}} t-x_{i}\left[\frac{E_{p}}{2}\left(1-e^{-\frac{2 p_{0}}{E_{p}}}\right)+\frac{1}{2 E_{p}} p \cdot p e^{-\frac{2 p_{0}}{E_{p}}}\right]
\]

Note that to leading order in \( t_{p}(7) \) implies

\[
\delta t=-\omega \cdot x\left[1+t_{p} E\right]+t_{p} \omega \cdot p t
\]

Let us consider how the three events in the experiment look in Bob's frame. To get to the
description in Bob's frame we make a pure boost, using (6) and (7). We note that, just as in special
relativity, it is completely unambiguous what Lorentz transformation to use; this is fixed by the
requirement that the origin of Bob's coordinates coincide with the origin of Alice's coordinates.
This means that the event ..Ff = (0, 0) is fixed by the pure boosrl. However, some of the results
depend on the energy, and hence one has to choose which particle's energy, among those whose
coincidence defines the event, is used to define the coordinates in the boosted frame.

We find from (6) and (7) that the first detection event has unique coordinates in Bob's frame, because it corresponds to the simultaneous origin of both the coordinates of Alice's and Bob's <u>frame.</u> 

3Here and in the following we set a = 1, to = 1p/c and Ep he/la. I am inconsistent about factors of ti and c.

'The results don't change to leading order in tpL if instead = fl = (r, 0) is taken to be the fixed point. See Footnote 1.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2.1.1 The moving frame in non-commutative coordinates (cont.)

We next find that the second detection event is split, in that the event is given two coordinates, depending on which particle is used for the transformation. But this is a very tiny effect as it occurs only at order 4. Explicitly, .Fr, which is the time coordinate of the second detection event in Bob's frame, is given two values, separated by a time difference,

\( v t_{\mathrm{p}}^{2} E_{2}^{2} L \)

<signature> \( \Delta_{\tau}^{\prime}=\frac{e_{p}^{2}}{h^{2} c^{2}} \)

(11)

We see that this split must be proportional to rtp, which is of order q.  For the most energetic
gamma rays detected by the Fermi satellite, in which E is on the order of 10Gev, v 10-6 and L
is cosmological, this is of the order of 10-24 sec, which is not detectible in the experiment.

We note that there is one factor of L which is in r and comes from the fact that the delay is the result of a long travel time. But to get an observable effect there would have to be another factor of L coming from the boost, to balance the tp in the energy dependent part of the boost. But this is impossible as the boost is defined just at the detector and is being applied to a nearby event. How can it matter for a lorentz boost of the trajectory of a photon near the origin of the reference frame how long that photon has been traveling?

Now let us look at the emission event. The emission event is for Bob split into two events El and 4, corresponding to the creation of the two photons an and '7f2. If we assume that both photons have the same angular momentum their space coordinates are the same £i' = £2'. However there is a split in their time coordinates given by

<signature> \( +\omega \cdot \Delta p t) \)

\[
\Delta t_{\mathcal{E}^{\prime}}=-t_{p}\left(\omega \cdot \bar{x} \Delta E+\omega \cdot \Delta \bar{p} t\right)
\]

where \( \omega_{x} \) is the component of the boost in the \( \hat{x} \) direction.

Because L is a cosmological distance, this can be a macroscopic time interval. Thus, Bob sees that the second photon is emitted at a time later or earlier than the second photon, depending onthe direction of Bob's motion. In fact, in the case under discussion we have

\[
\Delta t_{\varepsilon^{\prime}}=t_{p} \omega_{x} L(\Delta E+\Delta p)
\]

Note that to leading order in \( t_{p}, E \approx|p| \) so that, neglecting the low energy photons momentum, and taking into account that the photon is moving in the positive \( \hat{x} \) direction, so \( \Delta p>0 \), we have \( \Delta E \approx \Delta p \) Thus,
\[
\Delta t_{E^{\prime}}=2 t_{p} \omega_{x} L \Delta E
\]

It is interesting to note that in the case that the photon is moving away from the Earth, we would have
\[
\Delta_{t_{E^{\prime}}}\text { photon moves away }=O\left(t_{p}^{2}\right)
\]

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2.1.2 The moving frame in commuting coordinates

We now consider how the experiment looks in commuting coordinates, (T, x`)(21, 26]. We can mention that one reason to suppose this is the physical choice is that there is a basis in the Hilbert space for a free relativistic particle in which x' and T are both sharply defined, while is there is no basis that simultaneously diagonalizes t and x1, because they don't commute. So if the classical

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 2.1.2 The moving frame in commuting coordinates (cont.)

physics arisesas a limit of quantum physics, this is more likely to happen in the case of commuting coordinates.

We note that T translates and lorentz boosts conventionally, so that under boosts

\[
\delta T=-\omega \cdot x
\]

Meanwhile the transformation law for xi under lorentz boosts is modified to

\[
\delta x^{i}=\omega^{i}\left(T-t_{p} x \cdot p\right)+O\left(t_{p}^{2}\right)
\]

We ask how the three events in the gamma ray production and detection appear in Alice and Bob's coordinates when these (T, x') coordinates are used. A simple calculation shows that both detection events are unsplit in both frames. However we encounter a surprise when examining the emission event, as it is split even for Alice when she uses the time coordinate T. Assuming that the two photons were emitted at the same time t in Alice's frame, the commuting time, T, that each gamma ray was emitted is shifted to

\[
T=-L\left(1+t_{p} p\right)
\]

so that the emission event is split by a time interval

\[
\delta T_{\text {emission }, \text { Alice }}=-t_{p} L \Delta p / h
\]

It turns out that the lorentz transformation doesn't change this, so that also

\[
\delta T_{\text {emission }, \text { Bob }}=-t_{p} L \Delta p / h
\]

Finally, both Alice and Bob see the spatial coordinate unsplit.

Of course, one could instead proscribe that the two photons are emitted at the same initial value of T, in which case there is no splitting in Alice's frame, but there is a splitting in Bob's frame of the spatial coordinate of the emission event.

\[
\delta x_{\mathrm{Bob}}^{i}=t_{p} \omega^{i} L \Delta p
\]

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 3 Coordinate ambiguities for distant events

coordi-nate, As we t, have of events just seen, distant and from as was the discussed fixed point also of in the [26], boost, a boost because appears a single to split event the involving time the coincidence of two or more particles can be given several distinct time coordinates depending on the energy of each particle. However these energy dependent effects in boosts are proportional to tpzE h or tptplh, so they are only sizable for events far from the origin around which the boost is defined. The question is whether these splittings in coordinates of events far from the origin of a boost, of order IpxElh times the boost parameter 8 are real physical non-localities or coordinate artifacts.

In addition, we have seen that if we use the commuting time coordinate, T that both Alice and Bob see the emission event to be split by (19). This would certainly seem a coordinate artifact as it is introduced by resealing the time coordinate by a term which is momentum dependent.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 3 Coordinate ambiguities for distant events (cont.)

It is also interesting to note that in the \( \kappa \)-Poincare context translations can also split the noncommuting time coordinate, \( t \), of an event. The formula for an infinitesimal translation in \( \kappa \) Poincare is[23, 24]
\[
\delta t=a^{0}-t_{p} p_{i} a^{i} e^{-t_{p} p^{0}} ; \quad \delta x^{i}=a^{i}
\]

for infinitesimal translations labeled by a four vector, (a°, ai). Thus, consider an event at t = 0, x' = 0 in some frame, defined by the collision of two particles with momentum, pt and A.If we consider this event with respect to another frame at rest with respect to the first, but translated a distance a in the I direction, the event will be split into two events with a time difference

\[
\Delta t^{\prime}=t_{p} a\left(p_{1}^{x}-p_{2}^{x}\right)+O\left(t_{p}^{2}\right)
\]

So also we have to ask if what we have here is a case of one event that somehow has become two, or simply a single event whose time coordinate in a distant frame is ambiguous. I would claim that for both for boosts and translations, these coordinate ambiguities are just a new kind of coordinate artifact. To support this I would note that these coordinate ambiguities have very peculiar properties for real physical effects.

• The alleged problem with locality always occurs at very large distances from the point around which boosts are made, ie the origin of the coordinate system that defines an inertial frame.

• The presence or absence of this distant non-locality appears to depend on the position and motion of the observer. What happens is that an event which is local in one reference frame, appears to become two events, when described with the coordinates of a frame of reference which is moving with respect to the first and/or very distant from it.

• When a single event is split by such a distant lorentz boost into two, they are time like separated, and which is to the future and which past dependson the direction of the velocity of the moving frame.

• When the event is split by a translation, the causal order of the two events that are apparently created depend on whether the translations was done to the left or to the right. When the event is split by the use of a commuting time coordinate, 2', the causal order depends on the direction of the momenta of the photons.

I would then propose that the correct interpretation of these results is that the apparent split, in which the time coordinate of a single distant event is given two or more different values, is not a physical phenomena at all, but only a coordinate ambiguity, which occurs when one attempts to define a moving inertial frame by synchronizing clocks over large distances. How else could we describe the fact that whether the event has one or two time coordinates depends on which reference frame is being used to describe the event? And how else can we understand the fact that the choice of which of two apparently time like separated events is to the future of the other depends on the direction of motion of a very distant observer?

This is classical physics, so whether an event is to the causal future or past of another event cannot be influenced by the direction that may be chosen for boosting an observer who is not only spacelike from the events in question, but at a cosmological distance from it. Therefor causality

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 3 Coordinate ambiguities for distant events (cont.)

requires that the alleged splitting of very distant events into two is an artifact of a coordinitization procedure that has become ambiguous.

I will support this in the next section, where I will discuss how a coordinate ambiguity arises from the attempt to apply Einstein's procedure for synchronizing clocks to the case of K— Minkowski spacetime. in-definitely without The result running is that, into unlike coordinate Minkowski ambiguities. spacetime, inertial frames cannot be extended

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4 Synchronization of distant clocks

Let us recall Einstein's operational construction of coordinates for an inertial observer's measurements[271. According to Einstein, events are defined by the physical coincidence of elementary particles, which in classical physics means by the intersection of the worldlines of those particles. Coordinates are assigned to those events by physical operations which involve exchanges of light signals between those events and the observer at the origin, who is also presumed to carry a clock. They have no other meaning. It is assumed that the observer has no access to distant events which would enable her to assign them coordinates except by the exchange of light signals.

Thus, in Einstein's procedure, you start with an observer, Alice, who has a clock next to her. Events on the world line of the observer are parameterized by the reading of the clock, t. Events off the worldline are given time and spatial coordinates by using light signals bounced between the observer and those events. The only measurements that are made are of the readings of the dock when the light signals leave and return, t1 and t2, having bounced back off of the distant event. An event, eis assigned a value of the time coordinate, to = (ti + 12)/2. The event is assigned a space coordinate (simplifying to 1 + 1 dimensions) of xe = (t2 — t )c/2. A consequence of this is that the observer is by definition at the event x = 0.

A by product of this construction is that it allows the synchronization of distant clocks with the observer's clock. Another consequence is that, when applied to moving clocks, this leads to the relativity of simultaneity.

In special relativity this procedure can be applied to events arbitrarily far from the observer. In general relativity there is a limitation to how large x and t can be before the procedure becomes ambiguous, which is given by the radius of curvature. The curvature limits the region of space and time over which clocks can be synchronized.

gen-erally, The this results procedure we have can discussed be unambiguously raise the question extended of to whether arbitrarily in DSR, large or x and quantum t, or whether gravity there are quantum effects, even in the absence of classical curvature, which limit the applicability of this procedure to arbitrarily large values of the coordinates.

Here I would like to point out that there is in fact a limit to how large of a region of space and time may be unambiguously be assigned coordinates in an inertial frame. This limit arises because any clock has an accuracy within which one like to synchronize it. We will call this coo.

To see how this introduces a limit to how far away two clocks can be and be synchronized with each other, let us recall from [26J that a massless particle propagating in ,c-Minkowski spacetime (in the commuting coordinates) is subject to an anomolous spreading of the wavepacket. An initially Gaussian wavepacket, with initial width I1x has a width that evolves according to (eq. 61

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4 Synchronization of distant clocks (cont.)

of [26])5

\[
\Delta w=\sqrt{\Delta x^{2}+x^{2} l_{p}^{2} \Delta p^{2} / h^{2}}
\]

where \( \Delta p=h / \Delta x \). The minimal width after traveling a distance \( x \) is then
\[
\Delta x_{\min }=\sqrt{2 l_{p} x}
\]

This implies a minimal uncertainty in the arrival time, t2 of a photon exchanged with a distant event and hence a minimal uncertainty in the time to attributed to that event of

\[
\Delta t_{e}=\frac{1}{c} \sqrt{2 l_{p} x}
\]

If we want this uncertainty to be less than the inverse frequency wo-1, within which we demand the synchronization is accurate, we find,

\[
x<\frac{c^{2}}{2 l_{p} \omega_{0}^{2}}
\]

The same result can be derived for the non-commuting coordinates, which satisfy (3). This implies the uncertainty relation

AxAt≥tplxl. (28)

Let us consider that we are trying to synchronize a light clock, constructed by bouncing light between mirrors a distance \( \Delta x \) apart, placed a distance \( |x| \) away from the origin of a coordinate frame. The clock will have a frequency \( \omega_{0}=c / \Delta x \), and it will allow time to measured to an accuracy \( \Delta t \approx \omega_{0}^{-1} \). So we have
\[
\Delta x \Delta t \approx \frac{c}{2}
\]

which implies 77.2 > tplxl. From this we conclude that such a clock measures time in a way that is inconsistent with the uncertainty relation (28) unless it is within a distance from the origin Ixl bounded by (27). That is, any quantum dynamics which respects (3) and (28) must make it impossible to synchronize a clock distant from the reference clocks that defines the origin of a reference frame, unless (27) is respected.

These considerations will apply as much to the synchronization of moving clocks. Indeed, the relativity of inertial frames means it can't matter which frame one starts with, all frames are equivalent. Hence the procedure of assigning inertial coordinates to distant events can only be as accurate as allowed by the ambiguities produced by the lorentz transformations. So we can check that the same limitations arise from requiring that the energy dependent terms in the lorentz transformations not affect the synchronization of clocks.

Suppose the observers want to assign a time coordinate to an event involving several photons with a range of energies (SE, using clocks that are reliable within an accuracy of wo This means that we must have At < w(71 which implies that

hc

<signature> \( L<R\left(\omega_{0}, \Delta E\right)=\frac{\hbar c}{t_{p} \omega_{0} \Delta E} \)

(30)

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4 Synchronization of distant clocks (cont.)

The radius R(coo, .6,E) is a limit of how far an event can be from the reference clock and still be given an unambiguous time coordinate, within an accuracy of wo, when that event involves photons in an energy range AE. Now, if we are using photons to synchronizing clocks we are free to use photons of any energy so long as E > hwo. So given only the accuracy of the synchronization we want, we find again (27).

All three arguments lead to the conclusion that there is a limit to how far apart two clocks in-frared/ultraviolet rela-tions can be at if the we Planck want mixing, to scale synchronize are in limiting that the them presence the to definition a given of non-commutivity accuracy, of inertial w. <u>coordinates</u> This or phenomena modified at a large dispersion is a scale. kind of This ef-fects accords cannot with be the neglected. point of view These proposed effects may in thus [26] that be seen when as a 1, kind = JhO/c of smile 3 is of present, a Cheshire quantum quantum gravity cat, left over when the actual classical curvature can be ignored.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4.1 Related mathematical issues

In ordinary special relativity there is no such limitation to how far apart two clocks may be and be synchronized, and hence no limit to how large the coordinate frame used by an inertial observer may be. Because of this, the Poincare transformations form a Lie group. Consider boosts between observers at rest and moving with a velocity v made at the two events & and Ti and call them Bs(v) and BF,(v). If T is the translation that takes the event to F₁ to £ we have

\[
B_{\xi}(v)=T \cdot B_{\mathcal{I}_{1}}(v) \cdot T^{-1}
\]

In other words, using the fact that Poincare group is a Lie group that contains translations and boosts, one can extend the definition of an inertial frame to coordinatize all of Minkowski spacetime without ambiguity. This expresses the fact that Einstein's procedure for synchronizing moving clocks can be extended to clocks arbitrarily far away from a reference clock.

However, as we have just seen here that the situation cannot be so simple in n-Minkowski spacetime. This raises the question of whether the n-Poincare algebra can be exponentiated to a group, and what the structure of that group is. This is a question that has been investigated mathematically and it has been shown that, while the n-Poincare algebra has subalgebras which are isomorphic to the ordinary Lorentz algebra, that do exponentiate to the Lorentz group, the whole of the tc-Poincare algebra does not exponentiate into an ordinary Lie groupt25, 24]. This question is outside the scope of this paper, but the results of this paper underlie its importance.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4.2 A perspective on these results

What we can do is comment on the meaning of these results in the context of the general problem of the construction of a quantum theory of spacetime. Recall Mach's principle, or more generally, rela-tionships the notion amongst of relational physical spacetime, particles which whose asserts history that actually the spacetime defines the geometry spacetime. reflects This the idea is implicit in special relativity; indeed Einstein defined events in special relativity by the coincidence of worldlines representing the histories of physical particles. In special relativity however the lorentz transformation of an event does not depend on the properties of a particle traveling on the worldlines, as a result one has an unambiguous description of spacetime independent of what

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4.2 A perspective on these results (cont.)

his-tory travels of through the particles it. This whose allows interactions one to abstract actually the define spacetime it. This geometry abstraction away results from the in the detailed geometry of Minkowski spacetime.

However this abstraction leads to a conceptual tension, arising from a conflict between the interpretation of Minkowski spacetime in special and general relativity. Einstein tells us that in special relativity the points of Minkowski spacetime are operationally defined as arising from the coincidence of physical particles. But in general relativity, Minkowski spacetime is a vacuum solution, corresponding to a limit in which all matter has been removed from spacetime. The usual resolution of this tension is to regard special relativity only as an approximation to general relativity, which more fully realizes the principle that spacetime is relational.

One can ask whether this tension could also arise in the context of a quantum gravity theory. It is then interesting to note that it not possible to completely abstract the spacetime geometry from the motions and interactions of particles in tr-Minkowski spacetime. As we have seen, the lorentz transformations (6,7) and translations (22) of the coordinates of an event depend on the energy and momentum of the particles whose intersection defines the event.

Indeed, hidden in the form of the energy and momentum dependence of (6,7) and (22) is a question, what energy and momenta are involved here? From the context in which these formulas are derived[23, 24] the answer is dear, these transformations apply to the phase space of a free relativistic particle, whose coordinates and momenta and energy are always defined. But this answer raises a further question: can we abstract from the phase space description of a free particle to a universal description of a spacetime geometry that is independent of the particular particles traveling through it? To do this we would need a formula for lorentz transformations of events that do not depend on particular properties of the particles whose motion and interaction defines that event. Without this there can be no abstraction to an empty spacetime geometry from the phase space description of a relativistic particle.

Of course such formula are available, by taking the formal limit in which IpElh -> 0 one returns to the description in special relativity. However, looking at (6,7) and (22) we see that the relevant limit is really of the form IpxElh —> 0. This is non-uniform in space, hence for a given scale of energy it can only be taken within an horizon in which lxi is not too large. This is how the limitations of the extent of inertial coordinates we have just discussed arises. It is a limit to the region within in which one can abstract from the phase space a particle to get an independent notion of spacetime geometry, in which events are defined without regard to the particles whose interactions define them. if we don't take the limit IpxElh -> 0 then there is no notion of the coordinates of an event that does not carry with it, coded into its transformation properties, a record of the energy and momentum of the particles whose interaction defined it. That is, there simply are no events without particles.

Hence, the ambiguities in coordinates of events we have discussed here can be seen in a new light, they indicate that in quantum gravity we have to take seriously the notion that spacetimes are constructed to represent relations amongst physical events involving physical particles. There de-fined is in general without no reference abstraction to the which particles yields that an operationally empty spacetime defined geometry, them. in which events are

commu-tation Mathematically, relations (3). These these ambiguities formulas are reflect also indications the uncertainty of the relation basic lesson (28) arising that in any from experimental the situation in which quantifies of the order of /pErlh cannot be neglected there is a fundamental limit to the use of the notion of a spacetime geometry abstracted from the network of causal inter-

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 4.2 A perspective on these results (cont.)

actions amongst physical degrees of freedom.

mo-mentum This makes space, sense whereby of spacetime the fact that is a in derived DSR theories quantity. the The primary limitations arena we for have physics been discussing is the arise when one attempts to abstract a description in spacetime alone, the lesson is there is a limit to the meaning of the pure spacetime description, absent the information from momentum space.

In this light we can also mention, but not address, another issue that has both fundamental conceptual and mathematical aspects. The transformation formulas (6,7) and (22) that we are discussing arise in the phase space description of a single free relativistic particle[23, 24]. However, in our discussion we make use of Einstein's principle that the definition of spacetime events arises from the interactions of particles. To further investigate quantum geometry we must then make use of a mathematical description which involves many particles and incorporates interactions. In this light we can note that in K-Minkowski spacetime multiparticle states are constructed by a non-trivial procedure involving the co-product, which extends the usual direct product that is the basis of the construction of Fock space[25, 28, 29]. Elucidation of this construction is needed both to incorporate interactions into DSR theories and to understand the physical interpretation of quantum and non-commuting spacetime geometry.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 5 Conclusions

In this paper we have studied the problem of non-locality in the emission and detection of gamma ray bursts, in a well studied formulation of DSR, which is K-Minkowsld spacetime. We find that there is no macroscopic non-locality at the detector in either the lab frame or a frame moving with respect to it. We do find that there are ambiguities in the assignment of coordinates to events distant from the origin of inertial frames, which can become macroscopic when the events are at non-localities, cosmological but distances just ambiguities from the in observer. the procedure We have by which proposed inertial that observers these are not assign real coordinates physical to distant events.

These results disagree with those of [6]; the reasons for the disagreement are discussed in the Appendix.

ob-server In closing, located we there, note would that be an very issue different of a macroscopic from the issue non-locality of a possible at the macroscopic detector, seen non-locality by an that arises only at a cosmological distance from the observer. To establish that a cosmologically distant event is afflicted by a physical non-locality, rather than a coordinate artifact, one would have to be assured that the coordinates defined by a process of synchronization with the clock of a local observer are unambiguously defined arbitrarily far from that clock. Here we have examined whether this is the case for K-Minkowski spacetime, and found that there are ambiguities in the sychronization procedure coming from either the energy dependence of the speed of light or the commutation relations (3).

The claim that the problem is a coordinate artifact and not a physical non-locality is also strengthened by the fact that there is in the expression for Ate, in (12,13) a factor of v, which is the velocity of the moving frame we are transforming to. Hence which event is earlier or later effect-but depends is easily on the understood relative motion if the expression of two observers! refers to This an ambiguity makes no in sense the procedure for a real physical to synchronize clocks and construct coordinates.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## 5 Conclusions (cont.)

non-commutative Hence we spacetime, encounter which a new is situation that a feature in realizing of special the relativity relativity fails of inertial to hold frames here. in In special a an-chors relativity the procedure. the synchronization This of course of clocks breaks can down be extended when there arbitrarily is curvature. far from Here the we clock see the which process by which an inertial observer assigns coordinates to distant events is breaking down even in the space-time absence (or, of equivalently, the gravitational the curvature field. This of is momentum due either to space), effects or of the to an non-commutativity energy dependence of of the speed of light. This should not be surprising, to the contrary it would have been strange if the principle of the relativity of inertial frames can be extended to the non-commutative case without syn-chronization loosing some can feature be carried of the out physics. to cosmological Giving up distances the presumption is not a lot that to the give procedure up. Indeed, of clock in the real world, the procedure breaks down for curvature effects long before the issues discussed here are encountered.

This is then a situation like curvature, or the obstructions in the construction of coordinate patches in complex manifolds, in which a procedure for assigning meaningful coordinates breaks down globally. This raises the question of whether there is an elegant global description as we do find in curved geometries and complex manifolds, perhaps inherent in the mathematical structure of the ic-Poincare algebra[25]. If so, this may affect other open problems such as the meaning of velocity of distant particles in ,c-Minkowski spacetime[14, 15], the problem of unitarity[16), as well as the issue of constructing sensible interacting quantum field theories in tc-Minkowski spa cetimekappafields.

These remain crucial issues for further work.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am grateful to Sabine liossenfelder for many discussions and emails seeking to clarify these issues. I am also grateful to Michele Arzano, Laurent Freidel, Jurek Kowalski-Glikman, Joao Arnelino-Camelia Magueijo, for Shahn related Majid, discussions Seth Major, and Chanda correspondence. Prescod-Weinstein I am also and especially especially grateful Giovanni to Michele Arzano and Jurek Kowalski-Glikman for showing me a draft of the relevant chapters of their sup-ported book[24] in ahead part by of the publication. Government Research of Canada at Perimeter through NSERC Institute and for Theoretical by the Province Physics of Ontario is through MRI.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A Relationship to other approaches

In this appendix I would like to contrast the results we have found to hold for tc-Minkowski spacetime with those found for other approaches.

First, there is an analysis of a different formulation of DSR, based directly on deforming the action of the generators of the Poincare algebra[22], which obtains results similar to those found here: There is no macroscopic non-locality in the detection events, seen by an observer near the detector, but there are issues of coordinate ambiguities for the emission event.

On the other hand, [6] finds that Bob's satellite frame sees macroscopic non-locality at the detector. It is important to understand the reason for this disagreement. We first look at the

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A Relationship to other approaches (cont.)

argument of [6], then we contrast its assumptions with those made here.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A.1 The claim that DSR implies macroscopic non-locality

The conclusions of reference [6] are arrived at by reasoning directly from several assumptions to a conclusion about how the experiment would look in Bob's frame of reference. The first three of these assumptions can be taken to be

• A) Both observers can describe the photons' trajectories accurately in terms of worldlines in Minkowski spacetime.

• B) Both observers assume that the same equation (1) holds in their frame's coordinates.

• C) Both observers assume that the two photons left the gamma ray burst from thesame point at the same time, ie at a single value of the spacetime coordinates in each frame6.

Given these assumptions, simple algebra leads to the conclusion that Bob does not see the electron and the second photon to pass through the detector at the same time. Indeed, with L at cosmological distances and AE 10Gev, as might describe a real event detected by Fermi, they miss by about 10-5 of a second, which given that the second photon is going almost the speed of light amounts to a very large miss in terms of spatial distance.

From this [6] concludes that either there is an inconsistency in the theory (because it is claimed that that the three assumptions A, B and C follow from the relativity of inertial frames) or Bob must deduce that there are in physics highly non-local interactions which allow thesecond photon to scatter from the electron in spite of being separated by 10-6 light seconds.

[6] then argues that there are good experimental bounds on non-locality, which applied to this situation restrict a < 10-23. This part of the argument rests on a fourth assumption

• D The kind of non-local interactions produced by lorentz transformations in DSR theories are sufficiently generic that existing bounds on ranges of interactions from experiments that do not involve moving frames observing light that has traveled for billions of light years can be used to bound a in this experiment.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A.2 Comparison of the results of the different approaches

We can now compare the results of [6] with those found here for ,c-Minkowski spacetime.

The case most relevant for the assumptions of [6] is that of the commuting coordinates, as these lead to an energy dependent speed of light. There are two differences. In [6J there is macroscopic non-locality at the detector seen in Bob's satellite frame, whereas in rc-Minkowski spacetime the non-locality seen by Bob is much smaller, of order1.

The second difference is that in [6] the emission event is fixed by assumption C to have a <u>single coordinate in all reference frames,</u> whereas in K-Minkowski spacetime Bob's description

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A.2 Comparison of the results of the different approaches (cont.)

the emission event has now two time coordinates which differ by Ate, = tpLAE. This means that assumption C fails. The apparent splitting of the event is macroscopic, but the different is that the issue of ambiguity or non-locality has to do with an event a cosmological distance from the observer, rather than at the observer.

world-lines It defined is interesting by the to commuting note that C and fails the both non-commuting on the assumption coordinates. that the This particles remains travel true on whether the emission of both photons is defined to happen in Alice's frame at constant t or constant 7'.

The crux of the disagreement between the conclusions of [6] and the present calculations is what event is held fixed in the boost made from Alice to Bob's frame of reference. Every pure boost has a unique fixed point whose coordinates are the same in the coordinate system of both frames. As we have argued, given that Alice's lab frame and Bob's satellite frame coincide at a unique event when they pass each other at the event Yr = (0, 0), it is natural to define Bob's coordinates so that this event is the fixed point whose coordinates are left unchanged by the boost.

In [6] it is assumed instead that the transformation from Alice to Bob's frame has its fixed point at the emission event. This is justified in [6] by the condition that the equation for the time delay = 1pAEL/h (2) holds in all reference frames. This implies that C holds.

transforma-tion To in resolve a DSR this theory, disagreement, it is about note which that lorentz the issue transformation is not about gives how to the do correct a lorentz coordinates for observations measured by the Bob's satellite frame.

It is of course possible to define the transformation from Alice's lab frame to a frame whose de-tection origin of event coordinates to the emission is at the event, emission followed point; by this a is pure a combination boost around of a that translation point. This from gives the the description of the experiment in terms of coordinates that would be used by a moving observer whose origin coincides with the emission event. If one did that then the macroscopic non-locality is an issue at the detector-because the non-locality is always macroscopic at a coordinate z such that IptE/h is measurable, and this means z must be a cosmological distance. This is how the result of [6] that there is macroscopic non-locality at the detector is arrived at.

The point is that this is not the right calculation to do to arrive at the measurements made by Bob's satellite frame, whose origin is at the event (0, 0). This is a matter of definition, it is what is required by the procedure which defines the coordinates of the inertial frame.

While the definition should suffice, if one needs additional support for this choice of the fixed point, one can also argue that no other event is unique in this way. Bob is a general purpose observer, he can observe photons from many different distant events. If we let the definition of Bob's coordinates depend on one particular distant event, what picks out that event?

Another problem with making the fixed point depend on the emission of a gamma-ray burst syn-chronizing is that it is impossible its time and to space carry coordinates out in practice. with Imagine measurements the actual made case by of a gamma the Fermi ray satellite detector on the ground. To synchronize its coordinates so that an emission event was the fixed point of the boost, the satellite would need a measurement of the redshift of that gamma ray burst. This is not always available. Does this mean that the Fermi satellite cannot synchronize its description of a gamma ray burst with those of a detector on the Earth if it happens, as is often the case, that no <u>redshift is obtained for that gamma ray</u> burst?

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A.2 Comparison of the results of the different approaches (cont.)

Furthermore, one cannot maintain C and the observer independence of the form of the time delay (2) for more than a single gamma ray burst. Suppose the detector on the ground observed five gamma ray bursts, to which should the satellite synchronize its measurements?

For these reasons it seems best to use the unique point of intersection of the origins of the two reference frames as the fixed point of the boost between the two frames and give up assumptions C and the frame independence of (2)8. One cannot maintain these assumptions for more than one of the many gamma ray bursts that are detected, so why not give them up for all in favor of carrying over to DSR the usual well defined perscription used in special relativity for defining the boost to a moving frame of reference?

One might reply that it cannot matter where the fixed point is, because Minkowksi spacetime is homogeneous. indeed, so is k-Minkowksi spacetime, as shown by the presence in its symmetry algebra of deformed generators of translations. This homogeneity implies one can put the clock which defines the origin of an inertial reference system anywhere in spacetime. But it does not imply that each observer can unambiguously assign coordinates to a fixed accuracy to events arbitrarily distant from them.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A.3 State of the issue of macroscopic non-locality

Reference [6] made a very strong claim, that there is " ... a conflict with experiment to very high precision[6]...If DSR was indeed the origin of time-delays of highly energetic photons from GRBs, then it would also lead to macroscopic effects we would long have observed. Consequently, DSR cannot be cause of observable effects in GRB spectra[6]."

A claim that an experimental bound exists on a parameter of a new physical theory requires in-terpretation, ar-gument a solid case. does or it not there can apply. be exist weakened For versions this or reason or undermined interpretations there have if there of been the are a theory number unresolved in question of papers issues to of discussing which physical the the claim[22, 26, 30, 23, 31].

I would like to summarize my understanding of the present status of this issue:

1. The daim that there is a bound from existing experiments on the parameters of DSR theories rests on the claim that the satellite frame would see macroscopic non-local effects at the detector.

2. What the satellite frame sees can be found by making a pure lorentz boost from the lab frame. In the framework of n-Poincare, this Lorentz boost is completely specified by the condition that the origins of the lab and satellite frames coincide, and coincide with the event at which trans-formation their two world in this lines case intersect, is the pure as boost it would that be fixes in special that unique relativity. event The where correct worldlines lorentz of the two detectors intersect.

3. macro-scopic When this non-locality Lorentz in transformation the satellite frame's is computed description explicitly of the in detector. n-Poincare This there is the is case no in both formu-lations the commuting of DSR agree and non-commuting [22]. spacetime coordinates. Computations in other

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

## A.3 State of the issue of macroscopic non-locality (cont.)

4. dis-tance The potential scales of non-localities the order of vLE2/cn, that are produced (11). This by Lorentz disagrees boosts with at the the prediction detector of are [6], on by a factor of El EE 10-18. It is much smaller than the Compton wavelength of an electron in the detector and therefor unobservable.

5. Therefore the claim in [6), of an experimental bound on the a in (1), does not apply to DSR theories in general, because the prediction on which it is based, of a macroscopic non-locality at the detector, does not appear in at least one formulation of DSR. Hence, the experiments testing the consequences of (1) need to be done, and the results of current observations by knowl-edge Fermi we and have other now astrophysical as to the fate detectors of lorentz cannot invariance be predicted at the in Planck advance scale. based on the

6. assump-tion The reason that the the fixed calculation point of the of [6] lorentz disagrees transformation with that done from here the detector is that it to makes the satellite the frome is at the emission event. This is equivalent to C, which is that there is no ambiguity in the coordinates of the emission event. But when one defines the fixed point of the boost to the satellite frame to be the unique event where the worldlines of the two observers coincide, at the detector, explicit calculations show that there are ambiguities in the definition of the gen-eral coordinates phenomena of the in emission which lorentz event. boosts Hence, can C produce is not satisfied. energy dependent This in an example ambiguities of a in the coordinates of events very distant from the origin of coordinates of an inertial frame.

7. We can mention also that assumptions A and D are critiqued in [26] and discussed further in [30].

It is then certainly necessary to investigate the status of the ambiguities in the coordinates of distant events in boosted frames. This was the second aim of this paper. There are two points of view:

a) They indicate a real physical non-locality

b) They are the result of a coordinate ambiguity, because of an ambiguity in applying Einstein's procedure to synchronize moving clocks far from the origin of a frame.

It is clear that if a) is correct then the problem of a physical macroscopic non-locality is just shifted to the event where the photons are emitted. However if b) is correct than there is no non-locality macroscopic to an non-locality experimental at bound. either the The gamma aim of ray this bust paper or has the detector been to propose and no argument the case for from b.

Hence, even if we find results which disagree with those of [6], the challenges posed by that argument are highly non-trivial and are already leading to a deeper understanding of the physics of DSR.

# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

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# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

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# On limitations of the extent of inertial frames in non-commutative relativistic spacetimes (cont.)

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