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Most precise single redshift bound to the variability of the fine-structure constant
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 May 2006
Abstract
Verification of theoretical predictions of an oscillating behavior of the fine-structure constant, $\alpha$, with cosmic time requires high precision measurements at individual redshifts, while in earlier studies the mean $\Delta\alpha/\alpha$ values averaged over wide redshift intervals were usually reported. This requirement can be met via the Single Ion Differential $\alpha$ Measurement (SIDAM) procedure. We apply SIDAM to the FeII lines associated with the damped Ly$\alpha$ system observed at $z = 1.15$ in the spectrum of HE0515–4414. The weighted mean calculated on the base of carefully selected 34 FeII pairs is $\langle \Delta\alpha/\alpha \rangle = (-0.07\,{\pm}\,0.84)\times10^{-6}$. The precision of this estimate represents a large improvement over previous measurements of $\Delta\alpha/\alpha$.
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- Contributed Papers
- Information
- Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 1 , Symposium S232: Scientific Requirements for Extremely Large Telescopes , November 2005 , pp. 221 - 222
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- 2006 International Astronomical Union
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