Related papers: Methods for Constraining Fine Structure Constant E…

We have measured hyperfine structure in the first-excited $P$ state ($D$ lines) of all the naturally-occurring alkali atoms. We use high-resolution laser spectroscopy to resolve hyperfine transitions, and measure intervals by locking the…

We show that the relative effect of variation of the fine structure constant in microwave transitions between very close and narrow rotational-hyperfine levels may be enhanced 2-3 orders of magnitude in diatomic molecules like LaS, LaO,…

We probe the evolution of the fine-structure constant, alpha, with cosmic time. Accurate positions of the FeII lines 1608, 2382,and 2600 A are measured in the z = 1.84 absorption system from a high-resolution (FWHM = 3.8 km/s) and high…

As an extension of the method by Bahcall et al. (2004) to investigate the time dependence of the fine structure constant, we describe an approach based on new observations of forbidden line multiplets from different ionic species. We obtain…

OH megamasers (OHMs) are extragalactic masers found primarily in gas-rich galaxy major mergers. To date, only $\sim$120 OHMs have been cataloged since their discovery in 1982, and efforts to identify distinct characteristics of OHM host…

The [O III] $\lambda\lambda\ 4960,5008$ emission lines in the optical spectra of galaxies and quasars have been widely used to investigate the possible variation of the fine-structure constant $\alpha$ over cosmic time. In this work, we…

Our calculations have shown that the 5f_5/2-7s_1/2 23131 cm^{-1} transition from the ground state in the ion Th^{3+} is very sensitive to the temporal variation of the fine structure constant alpha (q=-75300 cm^{-1}). The line is very…

Aims. We constrain a hypothetical variation in the fundamental physical constants over the course of cosmic time. Methods. We use unique observations of the CO(7-6) rotational line and the [CI] 3P_2 - 3P_1 fine-structure line towards a…

We use the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropy data from Planck to constrain the spatial fluctuations of the fine-structure constant \alpha. Through Thompson scattering of CMB photons, spatial anisotropies of \alpha lead to…

In their Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 121302 (2004)] (also [Astron. Astrophys. 417, 853 (2004)]), Srianand et al. analysed optical spectra of heavy-element species in 23 absorption systems along background quasar sight-lines, reporting…

We present evidence for variations in the fine-structure constant from Keck/HIRES spectra of 143 quasar absorption systems over the redshift range 0.2 < z_abs < 4.2. This includes 15 new systems, mostly at high-z (z_abs > 1.8). Our most…

There are indications from the study of quasar absorption spectra that the fine structure constant $\alpha$ may have been measurably smaller for redshifts $z>2.$ Analyses of other data ($^{149}$Sm fission rate for the Oklo natural reactor,…

New observations of the quasar HE0515$-$4414 have been made using the HARPS spectrograph on the ESO 3.6m telescope, aided by the Laser Frequency Comb (LFC). We present three important advances for $\alpha$ measurements in quasar absorption…

Optical quasar spectra can be used to trace variations of the fine-structure constant alpha. Controversial results that have been published in last years suggest that in addition to to wavelength calibration problems systematic errors might…

We use Bloch oscillations to transfer coherently many photon momenta to atoms. Then we can measure accurately the ratio h/m_Rb and deduce the fine structure constant alpha. The velocity variation due to the Bloch oscillations is measured…

A new method is proposed to measure the Hubble constant H0 through the mean transmitted flux observed from high redshift quasars. A semi-analytical model for the cosmological-independent volume density distribution function is adopted which…

The fine structure constant, alpha, is shown to be proportional to the ratio of the quanta of electric and magnetic flux of force of the electron, and provides a new representation, which is global across all unit systems. Consequently, a…

Detecting any evolution of dimensionless in the ratios of physical quantities, such as the fine structure constant, would prove that the Weak Equivalence Principle is violated and lead to a paradigm shift in physics. High resolution…

We briefly review the recent experimental results on possible variations of the fine structure constant $\alpha$ on the cosmological time scale and its position dependence. We outline the theoretical grounds for the assumption that $\alpha$…

Searches for variations of fundamental constants require a comprehensive understanding of measurement errors. This paper examines a source of error that is usually overlooked: the impact of continuum placement error. We investigate the…