AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF THE FINE STRUCTURE CONSTANT AND ITS VARIATION: BRINGING THE FLUX QUANTA INTO THE DEFINITION OF THE ELECTRON

Abstract

The fine structure constant can be represented in many ways depending on which fundamental constants and units are chosen. This confuses analysis in terms of dimensioned constants as the meaning changes depending on the unit system at hand. In this work a new global definition of the fine structure constant is given, which is independent of the unit representation. This is achieved by showing that it is proportional to the quanta of electric and magnetic flux of force of the electron. Thus, a variation is shown to manifest due to a differential change in the fraction of the quanta of electric and magnetic flux offeree of the electron. Conversely, fc is proportional to the product. The representation is discussed with respect to temporal drift, and the running of the fine structure constant at high energies (small distances). With regards to temporal drift, a proof is given, which shows that it is impossible Co determine which fundamental constant is varying if the fine structure constant varies. Also, it is shown that the running of the fine structure constant is due to equal components of electric screening (polarization of vacuum) and magnetic anti-screening (magnetization of vacuum), which cause the perceived quanta of electric charge to increase at small distances, while the magnetic flux quanta decreases. This introduces the concept of the 'bare magnetic flux quanta' as well as the 'bare electric charge .