On a Connection of the Fine Structure Constant with Zero-Point Fluctuations of the Electromagnetic Field in Vacuum*

We present a new perspective of the link between QED and Maxwell's equations. We demonstrate that the interpretation of $\mathbf{D}=\varepsilon_{0} \mathbf{E}$ as vacuum polarization is consistent with QED. A free electromagnetic field polarizes the vacuum, but the polarization and magnetization currents cancel giving zero source current. The speed of light is a universal constant, while the fine structure constant, which couples the electromagnetic field to matter, runs as it should.

Download Full-text

EXISTENCE OF GROUND STATES OF HYDROGEN-LIKE ATOMS IN RELATIVISTIC QED I: THE SEMI-RELATIVISTIC PAULI–FIERZ OPERATOR

Reviews in Mathematical Physics ◽

10.1142/s0129055x11004321 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (04) ◽

pp. 375-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

MARTIN KÖNENBERG ◽

OLIVER MATTE ◽

EDGARDO STOCKMEYER

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Field ◽

Fine Structure ◽

Quadratic Form ◽

Ground States ◽

Structure Constant ◽

Coupling Constants ◽

Fine Structure Constant ◽

Coupling Constant ◽

Coulomb Coupling ◽

Quantized Electromagnetic Field

We consider a hydrogen-like atom in a quantized electromagnetic field which is modeled by means of the semi-relativistic Pauli–Fierz operator and prove that the infimum of the spectrum of the latter operator is an eigenvalue. In particular, we verify that the bottom of its spectrum is strictly less than its ionization threshold. These results hold true, for arbitrary values of the fine-structure constant and the ultraviolet cut-off as long as the Coulomb coupling constant is less than 2/π. For Coulomb coupling constants larger than 2/π, we show that the quadratic form of the Hamiltonian is unbounded below.

Download Full-text

New Limit on Space-Time Variations in the Proton-to-Electron Mass Ratio from Analysis of Quasar J110325-264515 Spectra

Symmetry ◽

10.3390/sym12030344 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 344

Author(s):

T. D. Le

Keyword(s):

Fine Structure ◽

Structure Constant ◽

Space Time ◽

Fine Structure Constant ◽

Electron Mass ◽

Mass Ratio ◽

Quasar Spectra ◽

Time Variations ◽

Using Data ◽

The Universe

Astrophysical tests of current values for dimensionless constants known on Earth, such as the fine-structure constant, α , and proton-to-electron mass ratio, μ = m p / m e , are communicated using data from high-resolution quasar spectra in different regions or epochs of the universe. The symmetry wavelengths of [Fe II] lines from redshifted quasar spectra of J110325-264515 and their corresponding values in the laboratory were combined to find a new limit on space-time variations in the proton-to-electron mass ratio, ∆ μ / μ = ( 0.096 ± 0.182 ) × 10 − 7 . The results show how the indicated astrophysical observations can further improve the accuracy and space-time variations of physics constants.

Download Full-text

Measurement of the running of the fine structure constant below 1 GeV with the KLOE detector

EPJ Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/epjconf/201921802012 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 218 ◽

pp. 02012

Author(s):

Graziano Venanzoni

Keyword(s):

Fine Structure ◽

Energy Region ◽

Direct Evidence ◽

Branching Ratio ◽

Structure Constant ◽

Fine Structure Constant ◽

Recent Measurement ◽

Single Measurement ◽

Lepton Universality ◽

Hadronic Contribution

I will report on the recent measurement of the fine structure constant below 1 GeV with the KLOE detector. It represents the first measurement of the running of α(s) in this energy region. Our results show a more than 5σ significance of the hadronic contribution to the running of α(s), which is the strongest direct evidence both in time-and space-like regions achieved in a single measurement. From a fit of the real part of Δα(s) and assuming the lepton universality the branching ratio BR(ω → µ+µ−) = (6.6 ± 1.4stat ± 1.7syst) · 10−5 has been determined

Download Full-text