The fine structure constant: a review of measurement results and possible space-time variations

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Bronnikov, K. A., Ivashchuk, V. D., Khruschov, V. V.
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Bronnikov, K. A.
Ivashchuk, V. D.
Khruschov, V. V.
author_facet Bronnikov, K. A.
Ivashchuk, V. D.
Khruschov, V. V.
contents A brief description of the main methods for determining the fine structure constant is given. It is shown that the exact value of the fine structure constant is important for the new International System of Units (SI) and for fundamental metrology. Recent measurement results and theoretical calculations of the fine structure constant, as well as its possible space-time variations, are presented. The results of laboratory experiments on the search for long-term variations of the fine structure constant are described. The astrophysical and cosmological observational data on possible variability of the fine structure constant are displayed. The possibility of slightly lower values of the fine structure constant in the remote past as compared to its modern value, as well as the existence of unresolved problems related to possible space-time variations of the fine structure constant and the spread of the results of its precise laboratory measurements, are mentioned. Despite the absence of experimentally confirmed long-term variations of the fine structure constant at a high level of accuracy, possible practical applications of the results are noted, namely, the construction of an optical frequency standard with high stability and frequency reproduction accuracy based on the ytterbium-171 ion and a laser frequency synthesizer which may replace the caesium frequency standard.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_18328
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The fine structure constant: a review of measurement results and possible space-time variations
Bronnikov, K. A.
Ivashchuk, V. D.
Khruschov, V. V.
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
A brief description of the main methods for determining the fine structure constant is given. It is shown that the exact value of the fine structure constant is important for the new International System of Units (SI) and for fundamental metrology. Recent measurement results and theoretical calculations of the fine structure constant, as well as its possible space-time variations, are presented. The results of laboratory experiments on the search for long-term variations of the fine structure constant are described. The astrophysical and cosmological observational data on possible variability of the fine structure constant are displayed. The possibility of slightly lower values of the fine structure constant in the remote past as compared to its modern value, as well as the existence of unresolved problems related to possible space-time variations of the fine structure constant and the spread of the results of its precise laboratory measurements, are mentioned. Despite the absence of experimentally confirmed long-term variations of the fine structure constant at a high level of accuracy, possible practical applications of the results are noted, namely, the construction of an optical frequency standard with high stability and frequency reproduction accuracy based on the ytterbium-171 ion and a laser frequency synthesizer which may replace the caesium frequency standard.
title The fine structure constant: a review of measurement results and possible space-time variations
topic High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.18328