Is there a spatial gradient in values of the fine-structure constant? A reanalysis of the results

Details Is there a spatial gradient in values of the fine-structure constant? A reanalysis of the results Is there a spatial gradient in values of the fine-structure constant? A reanalysis of the results

2012-03-27

arxiv.org/abs/1203.5891v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

Scientific paper

We statistically analyse a recent sample of data points measuring the fine-structure constant alpha (relative to the terrestrial value) in quasar absorption systems. Using different statistical techniques, we find general agreement with previous authors that a dipole model is a well-justified fit to the data. We determine the significance of the dipole fit relative to that of a simple monopole fit, discuss the consistency of the interpretation, and test alternate models for potential variation of alpha against the data. Using a simple analysis we find that the monopole term (the constant offset in (delta alpha)/alpha) may be caused by non-terrestrial magnesium isotope abundances in the absorbers. Finally we test the domain-wall model against the data.

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