PREV UP NEXT         INDEX SEARCH

STScI Preprint #1284

Does the Fine Structure Constant Really Vary in Time?

Authors: Mario Livio1, Massimo Stiavelli1,2,3
We discuss how laboratory experiments can be used to place constraints on possible variations of the fine structure constant alpha in the observationally relevant redshift interval z ~ 0 - 5, within a rather general theoretical framework. We find a worst case upper limit for Delta alpha / alpha of 8 × 10-6 for z <= 5 and Delta alpha / alpha of 0.9 × 10-6 for z <= 1.6. The derived limits are at variance with the recent findings by Webb et al. (1998), who claim an observed variation of Delta alpha/alpha = -2.6 ± 0.4 × 10-5 at 1<z<1.6.
Status:
Appeared in: The Astrophysical Journal, 507:L13-L15, 1998

Affiliations:
1) Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
2) On leave from the Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, I56126 Pisa, Italy
3) On assignment from the Space Science Dept. of the European Space Agency
PREV UP NEXT         INDEX SEARCH
Copyright notice
huizinga@stsci.edu
Last updated, September 14, 1998