English

The Speed of Light and the Fine Structure Constant

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2009-08-25 v2

Abstract

The fine structure constant α\alpha includes the speed of light as given by α=e24πϵ0c\alpha =\frac{e^{2}}{4\pi \epsilon_{0}c\hbar}. It is shown here that, following a THϵμTH\epsilon \mu formalism, interpreting the permittivity ϵ0\epsilon_{0} and permeabiliy μ0\mu_{0} of free space under Lorentz local and position invariance, this is not the case. The result is a new expression as α=e24π\alpha =\frac{e^{2}}{4\pi \hbar} in a new system of units for the charge that preserves local and position invariance. Hence, the speed of light does not explicitly enter in the constitution of the fine structure constant. The new expressions for the Maxwell's equations are derived and some cosmological implications discussed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.gr-qc/0008009,
  title  = {The Speed of Light and the Fine Structure Constant},
  author = {Antonio Alfonso-Faus},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/0008009},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

4 pages. ReVTeX Some minor corrections