Related papers: Evolution of the fine-structure constant in runawa…
We review recent activity searching for variations in the fundamental constants of nature in quasar absorption spectra and in the laboratory. While research in this direction has been ongoing for many decades, the topic has recently been…
We consider a dark energy model with a relation between the equation of state parameter $w$ and the energy density parameter $\Omega_\phi$ derived from thawing scalar field models. Assuming the variation of the fine structure constant is…
The optical spectra of objects classified as QSOs in the SDSS DR6 are analyzed with the aim of determining the value of the fine structure constant in the past and then check for possible changes in the constant over cosmological…
We present a sample of 38 intervening Damped Lyman $\alpha$ (DLA) systems identified towards 100 $z>3.5$ quasars, observed during the XQ-100 survey. The XQ-100 DLA sample is combined with major DLA surveys in the literature. The final…
The search for a physical model which explains the observed recent acceleration of the universe is a compelling task of modern fundamental cosmology. Recently Fernandes \textit{et al.} presented low redshift observational constraints on a…
In a recent publication [Ferreira {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. D89 (2014) 083011] we tested the consistency of current astrophysical tests of the stability of the fine-structure constant $\alpha$ and the proton-to-electron mass ratio…
Transfer learning followed by fine-tuning is widely adopted in medical image classification due to consistent gains in diagnostic performance. However, in multi-class settings with overlapping visual features, improvements in accuracy do…
Theories unifying gravity and other interactions suggest the possibility of spatial and temporal variation of physical ``constants'' in the Universe. Detection of high redshift absorption systems intersecting the sight lines towards distant…
I review recent constraints on and claimed detections of a time-varying fine-structure constant $\alpha$. Our results are consistent with no variation in $\alpha$ from the epoch of recombination to the present day, and restrict any such…
This paper presents the constraints on the time variation of the fine structure constant at recombination relative to its present value, Delta_alpha = (alpha_rec-alpha_0) / alpha_0, obtained from the analysis of the WMAP-3yr Cosmic…
Cosmological variation of the fine structure constant $\alpha$ due to the evolution of a spatially homogeneous ultra-light scalar field ($m \sim H_0$) during the matter and $\Lambda$ dominated eras is analyzed. Agreement of $\Delta…
Recent astrophysical observations of quasar absorption systems indicate that the fine structure constant $\alpha$ and the proton-electron mass ratio $\mu$ may have evolved through the history of the universe. Motivated by these…
We use the strong nebular lines of O III, 5007 A and 4959 A, to set a robust upper limit on the time dependence of the fine structure constant. We find |alpha^{-1} d alpha(t)/dt | < 2*10^{-13} yr, corresponding to Delta alpha/alpha(0) =…
The geometry of Freedman-Roberston-Walker cosmological models is fixed by the mass density parameter, Omega_M, and the cosmological constant, Omega_Lambda. The classical volume-redshift cosmological relation is a sensitive…
A measurement of the redshift drift constitutes a model-independent probe of fundamental cosmology. Several approaches are being considered to make the necessary observations, using (i) the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), (ii) the Cosmic…
We study atomic systems that are in the frequency range of optical atomic clocks and have enhanced sensitivity to potential time-variation of the fine structure constant, alpha. The high sensitivity is due to coherent contributions from…
In this topical review we explore the dynamics of nonlinear lattices with a particular focus to Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou type models that arise in the study of elastic media and, more specifically, granular crystals. We first revisit the…
Searches for variations of fundamental constants require accurate measurement errors. There are several potential sources of errors and quantifying each one accurately is essential. This paper addresses one source of uncertainty relating to…
The detection of a spatial variation of the fine-structure constant, alpha, based on study of quasar absorption systems has recently been reported. The physics that causes this alpha-variation should have other observable manifestations,…
We argue that models in which an observable variation of the fine structure constant is explained by motion of a cosmic scalar field, are not stable under renormalization, and require massive fine tuning that cannot be explained by any…