Related papers: Effect of alpha variation on the vibrational spect…
We consider the influence of variation in the fine structure constant alpha on a promising experiment proposed by DeMille et al. to search for variation in the electron-to-proton mass ratio mu using diatomic molecules [DeMille et al., Phys.…
We estimate sensitivity coefficients to variation of the fine-structure constant alpha and electron-to-proton mass ratio mu for microwave Lambda-type transitions in CH molecule and for inversion-rotational transitions in partly deuterated…
A possibility for fundamental constants to vary in time is suggested by theories unifying gravity with other interactions. In this article we examine proposals to use optical transitions of Sr, Dy, YbII and YbIII for the search of the time…
We introduce a methodology to test models with spatial variations of the fine-structure constant $\alpha$, based on the calculation of the angular power spectrum of these measurements. This methodology enables comparisons of observations…
Recent theoretical ideas and observational claims suggest that the fine structure constant alpha may be variable. We examine a spectrum of models in which alpha is a function of a scalar field. Specifically, we consider three scenarios:…
We present a review of recent works devoted to the variation of the fine structure constant alpha, strong interaction and fundamental masses. There are some hints for the variation in quasar absorption spectra, Big Bang nucleosynthesis, and…
In 2003 we have measured the absolute frequency of the $(1S, F=1, m_F=\pm 1) \leftrightarrow (2S, F'=1, m_F'=\pm 1)$ two-photon transition in atomic hydrogen. We observed a variation of $(-29\pm 57)$ Hz over a 44 months interval separating…
The ^{207}Pb^{19}F molecule possesses a pair of closely spaced levels of opposite parity due to near cancelation of the omega-type doubling and magnetic hyperfine interaction energy shifts [Alphei et al., Phys. Rev. A, 83, 040501 (2011)].…
We propose new experiments with high sensitivity to a possible spatial or temporal variation of the electron-to-proton mass ratio $\mu \equiv m_e/m_p$. We consider a nearly-degenerate pair of molecular vibrational levels, where each state…
A robust variational approach is used to investigate the sensitivity of the rotation-vibration spectrum of phosphine (PH$_3$) to a possible cosmological variation of the proton-to-electron mass ratio, $\mu$. Whilst the majority of computed…
Theories unifying gravity and other interactions suggest the possibility of spatial and temporal variation of physical ``constants''. Accuracy achieved for the atomic optical frequency standards (optical clocks) approaches the level when…
Review of recent works devoted to the variation of the fundamental constants is presented including atomic clocks, quasar absorption spectra, and Oklo natural nuclear reactor data. Assuming linear variation with time we can compare…
The comparison of different atomic transition frequencies over time can be used to determine the present value of the temporal derivative of the fine structure constant alpha in a model-independent way without assumptions on constancy or…
We identify the molecular ion NH^+ as a potential candidate for probing variations in the fine structure constant alpha and electron-to-proton mass ratio mu. NH^+ has an anomalously low-lying excited Sigma state, being only a few hundred…
Some new physics models of quantum gravity or dark matter predict drifts or oscillations of the fundamental constants. A relatively simple model relates molecular vibrations to the proton-to-electron mass ratio $\mu$. Many vibrational…
We reanalyze Oklo $^{149}$Sm data using realistic models of the natural nuclear reactors. Disagreements among recent Oklo determinations of the time evolution of $\alpha$, the electromagnetic fine structure constant, are shown to be due to…
We consider several transitions between narrow lines that have an enhanced sensitivity to a possible variation of the fine structure constant, alpha. This enhancement may allow a search to be performed with an effective suppression of the…
Recently it was pointed out that transition frequencies in certain diatomic molecules have an enhanced sensitivity to variations in the fine-structure constant $\alpha$ and the proton-to-electron mass ratio $m_p/m_e$ due to a near…
A new method for examining the possible space-time variation of the fine structure constant ($\alpha$) is proposed. The technique uses a relatively simple measurement with an optical resonator to compare atom-stabilized optical frequency…
I review recent constraints on and claimed detections of a time-varying fine-structure constant $\alpha$, and discuss our own work, particularly on the effects of $\alpha$ in the cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure. Our…