Search for Time Variation of the Fine Structure Constant (original) (raw)
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Abstract
An order of magnitude sensitivity gain is described for using quasar spectra to investigate possible time or space variation in the fine structure constant α. Applied to a sample of 30 absorption systems, spanning redshifts 0.5<z<1.6, we derive limits on variations in α over a wide range of epochs. For the whole sample, Δα/α = \(-1.1+/-0.4\)×10-5. This deviation is dominated by measurements at z>1, where Δα/α = \(-1.9+/-0.5\)×10-5. For z<1, Δα/α = \(-0.2+/-0.4\)×10-5. While this is consistent with a time-varying α, further work is required to explore possible systematic errors in the data, although careful searches have so far revealed none.
Publication:
Physical Review Letters
Pub Date:
February 1999
DOI:
10.48550/arXiv.astro-ph/9803165
arXiv:
Bibcode:
Keywords:
- Astrophysics;
- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;
- High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;
- Physics - Atomic Physics
E-Print:
4 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters