Constraints on the variations of the fundamental couplings

2002/05/23 by Keith A. Olive, Maxim Pospelov, Yong-Zhong Qian +6 · 11 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #High-Energy Particle Collisions Research #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #astro-ph #hep-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.66.045022

published as Phys.Rev.D66:045022,2002 · 25 pages, latex, 5 eps figures

arxiv created 2002/05/23 · openalex publication_date 2002/08/23 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/02

Abstract

We reconsider several current bounds on the variation of the fine-structure constant in models where all gauge and Yukawa couplings vary in an interdependent manner, as would be expected in unified theories. In particular, we reexamine the bounds established by the Oklo reactor from the resonant neutron capture cross section of ¹⁴⁹Sm. By imposing variations in \ensuremathΛ_QCD and the quark masses, as dictated by unified theories, the corresponding bound on the variation of the fine-structure constant can be improved by about 2 orders of magnitude in such theories. In addition, we consider possible bounds on variations due to their effect on long lived \ensuremathα- and \ensuremathβ-decay isotopes, particularly ¹⁴⁷Sm and ¹⁸⁷Re. We obtain a strong constraint on \ensuremathΔ\ensuremathα/\ensuremathα, comparable to that of Oklo but extending to a higher redshift corresponding to the age of the solar system, from the radioactive lifetime of ¹⁸⁷Re derived from meteoritic studies. We also analyze the astrophysical consequences of perturbing the decay Q values on bound state \ensuremathβ decays operating in the s process.

Citations

• Behavior of varying-alpha cosmologies
• Nucleosynthesis and the time dependence of fundamental couplings
• Evolution of the fine structure constant driven by dark matter and the cosmological constant

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• Limits on variations of the quark masses, QCD scale, and fine structure constant
• Varying alpha in a more realistic universe
• Probing variations in fundamental constants with radio and optical quasar absorption-line observations
• The fundamental constants and their variation: observational and theoretical status
• Varying alpha driven by the Dirac–Born–Infeld scalar field