Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/42997

Title

Time evolution of the fine structure constant

Author(s)

Murphy, Michael T.;  Webb, J. K.;  Flambaum, Victor V.;  Curran, Stephen J.

Abstract

We present a short review of the current quasar (QSO) absorption line constraints on possible variation of the fine structure constant, α ≡ e2/¯hc. Particular attention is paid to recent optical Keck/HIRES spectra of 49 absorption systems which indicate a smaller α in the past [1, 2]. Here we present new preliminary results from 128 absorption systems: Δα/α = (−0.57±0.10)×10−5 over the redshift range 0.2 < z < 3.7, in agreement with the previous results. Known potential systematic errors cannot explain these results. We compare them with strong ‘local’ constraints and discuss other (radio and millimeter-wave) QSO absorption line constraints on variations in α2gp and α2gpme/mp (gp is the proton g-factor and me/mp is the electron/proton mass ratio). Finally, we discuss future efforts to rule out or confirm the current 5.7 σ optical detection.

Publication type

Conference paper

Source

Proceedings of the 22nd Physics in Collision Conference (PIC 2002), Stanford, California, United States, 20-22 June 2002, pp. 116-127

Publication year

2002

Keyword(s)

Astrophysics;  High energy physics;  Phenomenology;  Quantum cosmology;  Relativity

Publisher

Stanford University

Publisher URL

http://www.slac.stanford.edu/econf/C020620/proceedings.htm

Peer reviewed