Mathematical definition of the fine-structure constant: A clue for fundamental couplings in astrophysics

Abstract

Astrophysical tests of the stability—or not—of fundamental couplings (e.g., can the numerical value ∼1/137 of the fine-structure constant α = e2/ℏc vary with astronomical time?) are a very active area of observational research. Using a specific α-free non-relativistic and nonlinear isotropic quantum model compatible with its quantum electrodynamics (QED) counterpart yields the 99% accurate solution α = 7.364 × 10−3 vs its experimental value 7.297 × 10−3. The ∼1% error is due to the deliberate use of mean-field Hartree approximation involving lowest-order QED in the calculations. The present theory has been checked by changing the geometry of the model. Moreover, it fits the mathematical solution of the original nonlinear integro-differential Hartree system by use of a rapidly convergent series of nonlinear eigenstates [G. Reinisch, Phys. Lett. A 498, 129347 (2024)]. These results strongly suggest the mathematical transcendental nature—e.g., like for π or e—of α’s numerical value of ∼1/137 and, hence, its astrophysical as well as its cosmological stability.