Related papers: Varying Alpha in a More Realistic Universe
I briefly present some current theoretical motivations for time or space variations of the fundamental constants of nature and review current key observational results. I focus on the fine-structure constant, and particularly on…
We study the time variation of fundamental constants in the early Universe. Using data from primordial light nuclei abundances, CMB and the 2dFGRS power spectrum, we put constraints on the time variation of the fine structure constant…
Evidence that the fine structure constant, alpha, was different in an early epoch has recently been found in quasar (QSO) absorption spectra. An accurate laboratory measurement of alpha variation could help to distinguish between space and…
Endeavours of the unification of the four fundamental interactions have resulted in a development of theories having cosmological solutions in which low-energy limits of fundamental physical constants vary with time. The validity of such…
Cosmography is a model-independent phenomenological approach to observational cosmology, relying on Taylor series expansions of physical quantities as a function of the cosmological redshift or other analogous variables. A recent work…
The fine-structure constant alpha does not vary as Friedmann Universes evolve, a conclusion based on assessments of quantum mechanics and electrodynamics. alpha = e^2/(4pi epsilon hbar c), where e is the charge of the electron, epsilon is…
Recent updated results of quasar spectra suggested a 3.9$\sigma$ significance of spatial variation of the fine-structure constant. Theoretically, it is important to examine whether the fine-structure constant, as a fundamental constant in…
We consider the evolution of a flat Friedmann-Roberstson-Walker Universe in a higher derivative theories, including $\alpha R^{2}$ terms to the Einstein-Hilbert action in the presence of a variable gravitational and cosmological constants.…
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,…
The fundamental laws of physics are required to be invariant under local spatial scale change. In 3-dimensional space, this leads to a variation in Planck constant \hbar and speed of light c. They vary as \hbar ~ a^(1/2) and c ~ a^(-1/2), a…
Starting from astrophysical indications that the fine structure constant might undergo a small cosmological time shift, we discuss the implications of such an effect from the point of view of particle physics. Grand unification implies…
Recently spatial as well as temporal variations of the fine structure constant alpha have been reported. We show that a "runaway domain wall", which arises for the scalar field potential without minima, can account for such variations…
Spatial and temporal variations in the electron-to-proton mass ratio, mu, and in the fine-structure constant, alpha, are predicted in non-Standard models aimed to explain the nature of dark energy. Among them the so-called chameleon-like…
With the motivation in mind to evaluate the contribution of the cosmological constant $\Lambda$ on the foam like patterns formation process in the distribution of galaxies, we investigate the Newtonian dynamics of a spherical void embedded…
A general model for the cosmological evolution of the fine structure constant \alpha driven by a typical Quintessence scenario is presented. We consider a coupling between the Quintessence scalar \phi and the electromagnetic kinetic term…
The existing observational data on possible variations of fundamental physical constants (FPC) confirm more or less confidently only a variability of the fine structure constant $\alpha$ in space and time. A model construction method is…
We study the effects of inhomogeneities on the evolution of the Universe, by considering a range of cosmological models with discretized matter content. This is done using exact and fully relativistic methods that exploit the symmetries in…
At present several groups are analyzing astrophysical data in a search for time-variation of the fine structure constant $\alpha$. Here we discuss how to exclude systematic effects caused by the changes in the isotope abundances during the…
Last year I talked at this meeting about a possible time dependence of the QCD coupling constant $\alpha_s$. This year I shall look into the problem once more, without fully repeating the arguments given last year. Astrophysical indications…
In this paper we compare the dimensional method with the Lie groups tactic in order to show the limitations and advantages of each technique. For this purpose we study in detail a perfect fluid cosmological model with time-varying…