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Related papers: Spatial Variations of Fundamental Constants

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We apply the method of matched asymptotic expansions to analyse whether cosmological variations in physical `constants' and scalar fields are detectable, locally, on the surface of local gravitationally bound systems such as planets and…

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Physics 2011-07-19 Douglas J. Shaw , John D. Barrow

We consider astronomical and local bounds on time variation of fundamental constants to test some generic Kaluza-Klein-like models and some particular cases of Beckenstein theory. Bounds on the free parameters of the different theories are…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-10-31 Susana J. Landau , Hector Vucetich

We formulate a simple extension of general relativity which incorporates space-time variations in the Newtonian gravitation 'constant', $G$, and the fine structure 'constant', $\alpha $, which generalises Brans-Dicke theory and our theory…

Astrophysics · Physics 2014-10-13 J. D. Barrow , J. Magueijo , H. B. Sandvik

We calculate bounds on the variation of the fine structure constant at the time of primordial nucleosynthesis and at the time of neutral hydrogen formation. We use these bounds and other bounds from the late universe to test Bekenstein…

In this paper, we formulate a generalization of the simple Bekenstein-Sandvik-Barrow-Magueijo (BSBM) theory of varying alpha by allowing the coupling constant, \omega, for the corresponding scalar field \psi\ to depend on \psi. We focus on…

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Physics 2012-01-13 John D. Barrow , Sean Z. W. Lip

If the fine structure constant $\alpha =e^2/(\hbar c)$ were to change, then a number of interpretations would be possible, attributing this change either to variations in the electron charge, the dielectric constant of the vacuum, the speed…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-10-31 John D. Barrow , Joao Magueijo

In this paper, we investigate how the fine structure constant, $\alpha$, locally varies in the presence of a static and spherically symmetric gravitational source. The procedure consists in calculating the solution and the energy…

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Physics 2016-09-27 V. B. Bezerra , M. S. Cunha , C. R. Muniz , M. O. Tahim , H. S. Vieira

Fundamental constants are a cornerstone of our physical laws. Any constant varying in space and/or time would reflect the existence of an almost massless field that couples to matter. This will induce a violation of the universality of free…

Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics · Physics 2015-05-20 Jean-Philippe Uzan

Light scalar fields very naturally appear in modern cosmological models, affecting such parameters of Standard Model as electromagnetic fine structure constant $\alpha$, dimensionless ratios of electron or quark mass to the QCD scale,…

Atomic Physics · Physics 2009-08-18 V. V. Flambaum , E. V. Shuryak

We investigate the triple-alpha process and the Oklo phenomenon to obtain constraints on possible cosmological time variations of fundamental constants. Specifically we study cosmological temporal constraints for the fine structure constant…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-11-07 H. Oberhummer , A. Csoto , M. Fairbairn , H. Schlattl , M. M. Sharma

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…

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Physics 2020-11-17 Zhe Chang , Qing-Hua Zhu

Cosmological dark energy is a natural source of variation of the fine structure constant. Using a model-independent approach we show that once general assumptions about the alpha-varying interactions are made, astronomical probes of its…

Astrophysics · Physics 2015-06-24 David Parkinson , Bruce A. Bassett , John D. Barrow

The bound on the time variation of the fine structure constant ($\alpha$) driven by the dynamics of quintessence scalar field which is coupled to electromagnetism is discussed using phenomenological quintessential models constrained by SNIa…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-11-10 Da-Shin Lee , Wolung Lee , Kin-Wang Ng

A phenomenological model is proposed to explain the recent observed cosmological variation of the fine structure constant as an effect of the quantum vacuum, assuming a flat universe with cosmological constant $\Lambda$ in the cases…

Astrophysics · Physics 2010-12-17 Antonio F. Rañada

We consider a long range scalar force that mainly couples to dark matter and unstable Standard Model states, like the muon, with tiny strength. Probing this type of force would present a challenge to observations. We point out that the…

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology · Physics 2018-12-13 Hooman Davoudiasl , Pier Paolo Giardino

We describe a rigorous construction, using matched asymptotic expansions, which establishes under very general conditions that local terrestrial and solar-system experiments will measure the effects of varying `constants' of Nature…

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Physics 2011-07-19 Douglas J. Shaw , John D. Barrow

We review properties of theories for the variation of the gravitation and fine structure 'constants'. We highlight some general features of the cosmological models that exist in these theories with reference to recent quasar data that are…

Astrophysics · Physics 2009-11-13 John D. Barrow

We work with a class of scalar extended theory of gravity that can drive the present cosmic acceleration as well as accommodate a mild cosmic variation of the fine structure constant $\alpha$. The motivation comes from a vintage theory…

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology · Physics 2022-04-20 Soumya Chakrabarti

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,…

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology · Physics 2009-11-10 Luis Anchordoqui , Haim Goldberg

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…

Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics · Physics 2009-11-20 S. A. Levshakov , I. I. Agafonova , P. Molaro , D. Reimers