Astrophysics, Clocks and Fundamental Constants

Savely G. Karshenboim, Ekkehard Peik (auth.), Savely G. Karshenboim, Ekkehard Peik (eds.)9783540219675, 3-540-21967-6

In 1937 the question of a possible temporal variation of the fundamental constants was raised by Paul Dirac in his “large number hypothesis.” Today it appears in the context of the search for a unified theory of the fundamental interactions. It touches both fundamental and applied physics, as the postulated unalterability of the constants is the foundation for modern metrology. The book presents reviews written by leading experts in the field. Focussing on the question of variations of the fundamental “constants” in time or space, the chapters cover the theoretical framework in which variations are expected and the search for variations of quantities such as the fine-structure constant, the electron/proton mass ratio, g-factors of proton and neutron etc. in astrophysical and geophysical observations and in precision experiments with atomic clocks and frequency standards.

Table of contents :
An Introduction to Varying Fundamental Constants….Pages 1-18
Time and the Universe….Pages 21-32
Millisecond Pulsarsas Tools of Fundamental Physics….Pages 33-54
Fundamental Units: Physics and Metrology….Pages 57-74
Constants, Units and Standards….Pages 75-93
Time Varying Fundamental Constants,Extra Dimensionsand the Renormalization Group….Pages 97-105
Fundamental Constantsand Their Possible Time Dependence….Pages 107-113
Quantum Gravity and Fundamental Constants….Pages 115-127
Constraining Variationsin the Fine-Structure Constant, Quark Massesand the Strong Interaction….Pages 131-150
Astrophysical Constraintson Hypothetical Variabilityof Fundamental Constants….Pages 151-166
Oklo Constraint on the Time-Variabilityof the Fine-Structure Constant….Pages 167-185
Cold Atom Clocks, Precision Oscillators and Fundamental Tests….Pages 189-207
Precision Spectroscopy of Atomic Hydrogen and Variations of Fundamental Constants….Pages 209-227
An Optical Frequency Standardwith Cold and Ultra-cold Calcium Atoms….Pages 229-244
Trapped Ion Optical Frequency Standards for Laboratory Tests of Alpha-Variability….Pages 247-261
An Optical Frequency Standard Basedon the Indium Ion….Pages 263-272
Applications of Femtosecond Laser Combto Nonlinear Molecular Spectroscopy….Pages 275-295
Ultracold Trapped Molecules: Novel Systemsfor Tests of the Time-Independenceof the Electron-to-Proton Mass Ratio….Pages 297-307
35 Years of Testing Relativistic Gravity: Where Do We Go from Here?….Pages 311-330
Search for New Physics with Atomic Clocks….Pages 331-341