Related papers: Strong Limit on a Variable Proton-to-Electron Mass…
Aims. To obtain limits on the variation of the fine-structure constant alpha and the electron-to-proton mass ratio mu over different cosmological epochs. Methods. A new approach based on the comparison of redshifts of far infrared (FIR)…
This article summarizes the latest results on the proton-to-electron mass ratio $\mu$ derived from H$_2$ observations at high redshift in the light of possible variations of fundamental physical constants. The focus lies on UVES…
Observations of H2 spectra in the line-of-sight of distant quasars may reveal a variation of the proton-electron mass ratio mu=m_p/m_e at high redshift, typically for z>2. Currently four high-quality systems (Q0347-383, Q0405-443, Q0528-250…
We report on new tests that improve our previous (2009-2010) estimates of the electron-to-proton mass ratio variation, mu = m_e/m_p. Subsequent observations (2011-2013) at the Effelsberg 100-m telescope of a sample of eight molecular cores…
Contemporary multidimensional cosmological theories predict different variations of fundamental physical constants in course of the cosmological evolution. On the basis of the QSO spectra analysis, we show that the fine-structure constant…
Carbon monoxide (CO) absorption in the sub-damped Lyman-$\alpha$ absorber at redshift $z_{abs} \simeq 2.69$, toward the background quasar SDSS J123714.60+064759.5 (J1237+0647), was investigated for the first time in order to search for a…
We report new upper limits on any possible long-term time variation of the ratio of the electron to proton masses, $(m_e/m_p)$, the fine-structure constant, ($\alpha$), and the quantity $\alpha^2 g_p(m_e/m_p)$, where $g_p$ is the proton…
Recent detections of high-redshift absorption by both atomic hydrogen and molecular gas in the radio spectra of quasars have provided a powerful tool to measure possible temporal and spatial variations of physical `constants' in the…
Astronomical observations have a unique ability to determine the laws of physics at distant times in the universe. They, therefore, have particular relevance in answering the basic question as to whether the laws of physics are invariant…
Many physical theories beyond the Standard Model predict time variations of basic physics parameters. Direct measurement of the time variations of these parameters is very difficult or impossible to achieve. By contrast, measurements of…
Astrophysical molecular spectroscopy is an important means of searching for new physics through probing the variation of the proton-to-electron mass ratio, $\mu$. New molecular probes could provide tighter constraints on the variation of…
By measuring the fundamental constants in astrophysical objects one can test basic physical principles as space-time invariance of physical laws along with probing the applicability limits of the standard model of particle physics. The…
Rovibronic molecular hydrogen (H$_2$) transitions at redshift $z_{\rm abs} \simeq 2.659$ towards the background quasar B0642$-$5038 are examined for a possible cosmological variation in the proton-to-electron mass ratio, $\mu$. We utilise…
We estimate sensitivity coefficients Q_\mu to variation of the electron-to-proton mass ratio \mu for microwave transitions in partly deuterated ammonia NH2D and ND2H. Because of the mixing between rotational and inversion degrees of freedom…
Most of the successful physical theories rely on the constancy of few fundamental quantities (such as the speed of light, $c$, the fine-structure constant, \alpha, the proton to electron mass ratio, \mu, etc), and constraining the possible…
We present the quantum-mechanical calculations of the dimensionless sensitivity coefficients Q to small changes in the fundamental physical constant mu = m_e/m_p - the electron-to-proton mass ratio - for a number of low-frequency (1-50 GHz)…
Molecular transitions recently discovered at redshift z_abs=2.059 toward the bright background quasar J2123-0050 are analysed to limit cosmological variation in the proton-to-electron mass ratio, mu=m_p/m_e. Observed with the Keck…
We determine the sensitivity to a possible variation of the proton-to-electron mass ratio \mu for torsion-wagging-rotation transitions in the ground state of methylamine (CH3NH2). Our calculation uses an effective Hamiltonian based on a…
The status of searches for possible variation in the constants of nature from astronomical observation of molecules is reviewed, focusing on the dimensionless constant representing the proton-electron mass ratio $\mu=m_p/m_e$. The optical…
We discuss experiments and observations aimed at testing the possible space-time variability of fundamental physical constants, predicted by the modern theory. Specifically, we consider two of the dimensionless physical parameters which are…