2002/05/30 by Jean-Philippe Uzan, Jean–Philippe Uzan · 10 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #astro-ph #gr-qc #hep-ph #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/revmodphys.75.403
published as Rev.Mod.Phys.75:403,2003 · 56 pages, l7 figures, submitted to Rev. Mod. Phys
arxiv created 2002/05/30 · openalex publication_date 2003/04/07 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
This article describes the various experimental bounds on the variation of the fundamental constants of nature. After a discussion of the role of fundamental constants, their definition and link with metrology, it reviews the various constraints on the variation of the fine-structure constant, the gravitational, weak- and strong-interaction couplings and the electron-to-proton mass ratio. The review aims (1) to provide the basics of each measurement, (2) to show as clearly as possible why it constrains a given constant, and (3) to point out the underlying hypotheses. Such an investigation is of importance in comparing the different results and in understanding the recent claims of the detection of a variation of the fine-structure constant and of the electron-to-proton mass ratio in quasar absorption spectra. The theoretical models leading to the prediction of such variation are also reviewed, including Kaluza-Klein theories, string theories, and other alternative theories. Cosmological implications of these results are also discussed. The links with the tests of general relativity are emphasized.