scholarly journals Spectra of Distant Quasars and Verification of Possible Variation of Fundamental Constants over Cosmological Time-Scales

1994 ◽  
Vol 159 ◽  
pp. 361-362
Author(s):  
D.A. Varshalovich ◽  
A.Y. Potekhin
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Time Scales ◽  
Spectroscopic Data ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Fundamental Constants ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Cosmological Time ◽  
Proton Mass ◽  
Variation Rate

Constraints on possible variation rate of the fine-structure constant, , and the electron-proton mass ratio , over cosmological time scales are obtained from analyses of quasar spectroscopic data.

scholarly journals Search for variation of the fundamental constants in atomic, molecular, and nuclear spectra

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
V V Flambaum ◽  
V A Dzuba
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Absorption Spectra ◽  
Atomic Clock ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Frequency Change ◽  
Fundamental Constants ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Proton Mass ◽  
Nuclear Transitions

The search for variation of the fundamental constants such as the fine-structure constant α (α = e2/hc) and the ratios of fundamental masses (for example, electron-to-proton mass ratio μ = me/mp) is reviewed. Strong emphasis is given to establishing the relationships between the change in the measured frequencies of atomic, molecular, or nuclear transitions and the corresponding change of the fundamental constants. Transitions in which the sensitivity of the frequency change to the variation of the fine-structure constant is strongly enhanced are discussed and most recent experimental results are presented. Most attention is given to the use of atomic, molecular, and nuclear transitions in the study of quasar absorption spectra and in atomic clock experiments.PACS Nos.: 31.25.Eb, 31.25.Jf

scholarly journals Fundamental physics and the fine-structure constant

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sherbon
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Electron Mass ◽  
Fundamental Constants ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Weak Force ◽  
Strong Force ◽  
Symmetry Principles

From the exponential function of Euler’s equation to the geometry of a fundamental form, a calculation of the fine-structure constant and its relationship to the proton-electron mass ratio is given. Equations are found for the fundamental constants of the four forces of nature: electromagnetism, the weak force, the strong force and the force of gravitation. Symmetry principles are then associated with traditional physical measures.

scholarly journals Multiverse Predictions for Habitability: Number of Potentially Habitable Planets

Universe ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
McCullen Sandora
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
Lower Bounds ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Stellar Mass ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Hot Jupiters ◽  
Proton Mass

How good is our universe at making habitable planets? The answer to this depends on which factors are important for life: Does a planet need to be Earth mass? Does it need to be inside the temperate zone? are systems with hot Jupiters habitable? Here, we adopt different stances on the importance of each of these criteria to determine their effects on the probabilities of measuring the observed values of several physical constants. We find that the presence of planets is a generic feature throughout the multiverse, and for the most part conditioning on their particular properties does not alter our conclusions much. We find conflict with multiverse expectations if planetary size is important and it is found to be uncorrelated with stellar mass, or the mass distribution is too steep. The existence of a temperate circumstellar zone places tight lower bounds on the fine structure constant and electron to proton mass ratio.

scholarly journals Multiverse Predictions for Habitability: The Number of Stars and Their Properties

Universe ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 149 ◽  
Author(s):  
McCullen Sandora
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
High Significance ◽  
Proton Mass

In a multiverse setting, we expect to be situated in a universe that is exceptionally good at producing life. Though the conditions for what life needs to arise and thrive are currently unknown, many will be tested in the coming decades. Here we investigate several different habitability criteria, and their influence on multiverse expectations: Does complex life need photosynthesis? Is there a minimum timescale necessary for development? Can life arise on tidally locked planets? Are convective stars habitable? Variously adopting different stances on each of these criteria can alter whether our observed values of the fine structure constant, the electron to proton mass ratio, and the strength of gravity are typical to high significance. This serves as a way of generating predictions for the requirements of life that can be tested with future observations, any of which could falsify the multiverse scenario.

scholarly journals LET'S TALK ABOUT VARYING G

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (14) ◽  
pp. 2289-2294 ◽  
Author(s):  
ADAM MOSS ◽  
ALI NARIMANI ◽  
DOUGLAS SCOTT
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Physical Dependence ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Fundamental Constants ◽  
Physical Constants ◽  
Proton Mass ◽  
System Of Units ◽  
Mass Failure

It is possible that fundamental constants may not be constants at all. There is a generally accepted view that one can only talk about variations of dimensionless quantities, such as the fine structure constant α e ≡ e2/4πϵ0ℏc. However, constraints on the strength of gravity tend to focus on G itself, which is problematic. We stress that G needs to be multiplied by the square of a mass, and hence, for example, one should be constraining [Formula: see text], where m p is the proton mass. Failure to focus on such dimensionless quantities makes it difficult to interpret the physical dependence of constraints on the variation of G in many published studies. A thought-experiment involving talking to observers in another universe about the values of physical constants may be useful for distinguishing what is genuinely measurable from what is merely part of our particular system of units.

scholarly journals Fundamental Physics and the Fine-Structure Constant

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Sherbon
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Electron Mass ◽  
Fundamental Constants ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Weak Force ◽  
Strong Force ◽  
Symmetry Principles

From the exponential function of Euler's equation to the geometry of a fundamental form, a calculation of the fine-structure constant and its relationship to the proton-electron mass ratio is given. Equations are found for the fundamental constants of the four forces of nature: electromagnetism, the weak force, the strong force and the force of gravitation. Symmetry principles are then associated with traditional physical measures.

Chemistry as a function of the fine-structure constant and the electron-proton mass ratio

2010 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rollin A. King ◽  
Ali Siddiqi ◽  
Wesley D. Allen ◽  
Henry F. Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Proton Mass

Searching for places where to test the variations of fundamental constants

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 317-317
Author(s):  
P. Petitjean ◽  
P. Noterdaeme ◽  
R. Srianand ◽  
C. Ledoux ◽  
A. Ivanchik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Absorption Line ◽  
Structure Constant ◽  
Fine Structure Constant ◽  
Electron Mass ◽  
Fundamental Constants ◽  
Mass Ratio ◽  
Time Variations

AbstractIt has been realised in the last few years that strong constraints on the time-variations of dimensionless fundamental constants of physics can be derived at any redshift from QSO absorption line systems. Variations of the fine structure constant, α, the proton-to-electron mass ratio, μ, or the combination, x=α2gp/μ, where gp is the proton gyromagnetic factor, have been constrained. However, for the latter two constants, the number of lines of sight where these measurements can be performed is limited. In particular the number of known molecular and 21 cm absorbers is small. Our group has started several surveys to search for these systems. Here is a summary of some of the characteristics of these absorbers that can be used to find these systems.

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

Symmetry ◽  
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.

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