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Space-Time Variation of Physical Constants and Relativistic Corrections in Atoms

V. A. Dzuba·V. V. Flambaum·J. K. Webb.
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Abstract

Detection of high-redshift absorption in the optical spectra of quasars have provided a powerful tool to measure spatial and temporal variations of physical ``constants'' in the Universe. It is demonstrated that high sensitivity to the variation of the fine structure constant alpha can be obtained from a comparison of the spectra of heavy and light atoms (or molecules). We have performed calculations for the pair FeII and MgII for which accurate quasar and laboratory spectra are available. A possibility of $10^5$ times enhanced effects of the fundamental constants variation suitable for laboratory measurements is also discussed.

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V. A. Dzuba, V. V. Flambaum, J. K. Webb.. 1998-02-14. Space-Time Variation of Physical Constants and Relativistic Corrections in Atoms. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.82.888

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