scholarly journals Atomic calculations and search for variation of the fine-structure constant in quasar absorption spectra

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
V A Dzuba ◽  
V V Flambaum

A brief review of the search for variation of the fine-structure constant in quasar absorption spectra is presented. Special consideration is given to the role of atomic calculations in the analysis of the observed data. A range of methods that allows us to perform calculations for atoms or ions with different electron structure and which cover practically all the Periodic Table of elements is discussed. Critical compilation of the results of the calculations as well as a review of the most recent results of the analysis are presented.PACS Nos.: 31.25.Eb, 31.25.Jf

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 326-326
Author(s):  
Paolo Molaro

The fundamental dimensionless physical constants cannot be predicted by theory but can only be measured experimentally. And so it is of their possible variation where there are several theoretical predictions but unfortunately with little theoretical guidance on the expected rate of change. The role of fundamental constants in the representation of nature as well as the implications of their variability for the Equivalence Principle and cosmology have been highlighted in many contributions at this conference (cfr K. Olive and J.P Uzan, these proceedings). Measuring the variability of the fine structure constant α or the electron-to-proton ratio μ by means of absorption lines implies the measurement of a tiny variation of the position of one or a few lines with regard to other lines which are taken as reference. For the fine structure constant the relation between its change and the doppler velocity shift is:


Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 722 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. D. Le

A new stringent limit relating to the variation of the fine-structure constant (α= e2/4πε0ℏc) has been extracted from Ritz wavelengths of 27 quasi_stellar object (QSO) absorption spectra lines of Fe II. The calculation was combined with laboratory wavelengths and QSO spectra to obtain the result ∆α/α=(0.027±0.832)×10-6. This result suggests how dedicated astrophysical estimations can improve these limits in the future and can also constrain space_time variations.


2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
V V Flambaum ◽  
V A Dzuba

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


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyun Zhang ◽  
Shuopei Wang ◽  
Eryin Wang ◽  
Xiaobo Lu ◽  
Qian Li ◽  
...  

AbstractElectron-electron interaction is fundamental in condensed matter physics and can lead to composite quasiparticles called plasmarons, which strongly renormalize the dispersion and carry information of electron-electron coupling strength as defined by the effective fine structure constant $${\alpha }_{ee}^{* }$$ α e e * . Although h-BN with unique dielectric properties has been widely used as an important substrate for graphene, so far there is no experimental report of plasmarons in graphene/h-BN yet. Here, we report direct experimental observation of plasmaron dispersion in graphene/h-BN heterostructures through angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements upon in situ electron doping. Characteristic diamond-shaped dispersion is observed near the Dirac cone in both 0° (aligned) and 13.5° (twisted) graphene/h-BN, and the electron-electron interaction strength $${\alpha }_{ee}^{* }$$ α e e * is extracted to be $${\alpha }_{ee}^{* }\approx 0.9\pm 0.1$$ α e e * ≈ 0.9 ± 0.1 , highlighting the important role of electron-electron interaction. Our results suggest graphene/h-BN as an ideal platform for investigating strong electron-electron interaction with weak dielectric screening, and lays fundamental physics for gate-tunable nano-electronics and nano-plasmonics.


Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 344
Author(s):  
T. D. Le

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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