Further Evidence for Cosmological Evolution of the Fine Structure Constant

Journal Article · Mon Aug 27 00:00:00 EDT 2001 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.091301· OSTI ID:40277439

Webb, J K; Murphy, M T; Flambaum, V V; Dzuba, V A; Barrow, J D; Churchill, C W; Prochaska, J X; Wolfe, A M

We describe the results of a search for time variability of the fine structure constant {alpha} using absorption systems in the spectra of distant quasars. Three large optical data sets and two 21 cm and mm absorption systems provide four independent samples, spanning {approx}23% to 87% of the age of the universe. Each sample yields a smaller {alpha} in the past and the optical sample shows a 4{sigma} deviation: {Delta}{alpha}/{alpha}=-0.72{+-}0.18 x 10{sup -5} over the redshift range 0.5<z<3.5 . We find no systematic effects which can explain our results. The only potentially significant systematic effects push {Delta}{alpha}/{alpha} towards positive values; i.e., our results would become more significant were we to correct for them.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• OSTI ID: 40277439
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 87, Issue 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.091301; Othernumber: PRLTAO000087000009091301000001; 044134PRL; PBD: 27 Aug 2001; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
FINE STRUCTURE
QUASARS
SPECTRA
UNIVERSE