Stringent null constraint on cosmological evolution of the proton-to-electron mass ratio

Details Stringent null constraint on cosmological evolution of the proton-to-electron mass ratio Stringent null constraint on cosmological evolution of the proton-to-electron mass ratio

2008-07-28

arxiv.org/abs/0807.4366v2

Phys.Rev.Lett.101:251304,2008

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

12 pages. A shorter (4 page) version of this paper has been accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters. Changes in v2

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.251304

We present a strong constraint on variation of the proton-to-electron mass ratio, mu, over cosmological time scales using molecular hydrogen transitions in optical quasar spectra. Using high quality spectra of quasars Q0405-443, Q0347-383 and Q0528-250, variation in mu relative to the present day value is limited to (Delta mu)/mu=(2.6 +/- 3.0) x 10^(-6). We reduce systematic errors compared to previous works by substantially improving the spectral wavelength calibration method and by fitting absorption profiles to the forest of hydrogen Lyman alpha transitions surrounding each H_2 transition. Our results are consistent with no variation, and inconsistent with a previous approx 4 sigma detection of mu variation involving Q0405-443 and Q0347-383. If the results of this work and those suggesting that alpha may be varying are both correct, then this would tend to disfavour certain grand unification models.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Stringent null constraint on cosmological evolution of the proton-to-electron mass ratio does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Stringent null constraint on cosmological evolution of the proton-to-electron mass ratio, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Stringent null constraint on cosmological evolution of the proton-to-electron mass ratio will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-312713