Fine Structure Constant Research Articles

Classical vs quantum eikonal scattering and its causal structure

We study the eikonal scattering of two gravitationally interacting bodies, in the regime of large angular momentum and large center of mass energy. We show that eikonal exponentiation of the scattering phase matrix is a direct consequence of the group contraction SU(2) → ISO(2), from rotations to the isometries of the plane, in the large angular momentum limit. We extend it to all orders in the scattering angle, and for all masses and spins. The emergence of the classical limit is understood in terms of the continuous-spin representations admitted by ISO(2). We further investigate the competing classical vs quantum corrections to the leading classical eikonal scattering, and find several interesting examples where quantum corrections are more important than Post-Minkowskian’s. As a case of study, we analyse the scattering of a photon off a massless neutral scalar field, up to next-to-leading order in the Newton constant, and to leading order in the fine structure constant. We investigate the causal structure of the eikonal regime and establish an infinite set of non-linear positivity bounds, of which positivity of time delay is the simplest.

Fundamentals of unified physics

This work is based on the following three premises: (1) Equality c = u with u = (‐2u)1/2 as the total escape speed (from all the masses in the universe) and u the total gravitational potential; given a value of the universe mass, as shared by many physicists, u tends to c, hence constant on Earth. Moreover, the above equality implies the massiveness of light, which regards the second premise: (2) Structure of light: Longitudinal/sinusoidal particles, photons, moving along rays, having parameters λ (their length) and frequency ν (their number, of the same ray, flowing in a time unit); now, if photons and electron should have, at their impact, opposite direction, a circling electron could fall into its nucleus, hence the third premise. (3) A structure of the electron where its charge is not uniformly distributed, but it can be considered as a point particle fixed on the electron surface, facing the atom nucleus during the electron orbits; the electron charge corresponds to the photons-electron impact point, where photons are absorbed and released. Due to these structures, the photons-electron impacts will force the involved electron to move, with a radial velocity w, toward wider orbits. On these bases, and according to the classical mechanics laws, we found, but not limited to, these results: The measured speed of light, constant on Earth because of the equality #1, turns out to be also invariant whatever the relative motion observer-source (of light) is: In short, during the interaction photons-electron, due to both the electron radial velocity and its Doppler effect, if the photons frequency decreases, then their length will increase (and vice versa) always inducing the invariant c. [The equality c = u has a cosmological reason: If c > u, all the visible masses, following the photons mass moving toward the infinity, would be dispersed from each other; if c < u all masses would collapse, while, for c = u, the photons mass (as well as neutrinos mass, as shown) will ensure an endless balance between dispersion and collapse.] The gravitational redshift and the claimed time dilation depend, like c, on the variation of the total potential. On H atom, the number of the electron circular orbits turns out to be n = 1, 2…137; the electron orbital speed along its ground-state (g-s) orbit becomes v 1 = c/137, while the electron charge g-s orbital speed is v o = αc with α being the fine-structure constant. As for the claimed fall of circling electrons into their nucleus due to their supposed photons emission, we found that the circling electrons are emitting the previously absorbed photons only during the spiral path from higher toward lower orbits; this emission avoids their fall. Then we show that the compensation velocity (to restore the resonance source-detector located at different heights) has opposite direction with respect to the one predicted by relativity.

Further considerations about light and gravity in terms of classical mechanics

Explanations are proposed for several light behaviors using classical mechanics. The Planck‐Einstein relation is the starting point. A careful inspection reveals that this relationship has two dynamic interacting entities. One is a free (moving) photon, fp , represented by its angular frequency, ω. The other is a proposed, resting, independent, electromagnetic field denoted by the reduced Planck constant ħ, which is the product of energy and period. Consistent with these entities are several proposals supported by well-established equations. They include the presence of a hidden factor that allows for the photon’s internal dynamics, a more precise description of the electromagnetic interactions of gravity with light, the mechanism behind Fraunhofer diffraction, the role of gravity in the fine structure constant, the role of gravity in the refraction of light and its implications for relativity, and the mechanism of Fermat’s principle.

New novel physical constants metric and fine structure constant models demonstrate the intrinsic nature of vacuum space as a quantum medium

We hereby display two independent research-wise blind folded calculations of the fine structure constant using different angles in attacking the problem by two different novel models that however produced the same result which leads to the inescapable conclusion that 'empty' vacuum space must be intrinsically a quantized medium in nature.

Energetics of Microwaves Probed by Double Quantum Dot Absorption.

We explore the energetics of microwaves interacting with a double quantum dot photodiode and show wave-particle aspects in photon-assisted tunneling. The experiments show that the single-photon energy sets the relevant absorption energy in a weak-drive limit, which contrasts the strong-drive limit where the wave amplitude determines the relevant-energy scale and opens up microwave-induced bias triangles. The threshold condition between these two regimes is set by the fine-structure constant of the system. The energetics are determined here with the detuning conditions of the double dot system and stopping-potential measurements that constitute a microwave version of the photoelectric effect.

Mirror dark sector solution of the Hubble tension with time-varying fine-structure constant

We explore a model introduced by Cyr-Racine, Ge, and Knox (arXiv:2107.13000(2)) that resolves the Hubble tension by invoking a ``mirror world" dark sector with energy density a fixed fraction of the ``ordinary" sector of Lambda-CDM. Although it reconciles cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure observations with local measurements of the Hubble constant, the model requires a value of the primordial Helium mass fraction that is discrepant with observations and with the predictions of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). We consider a variant of the model with standard Helium mass fraction but with the value of the electromagnetic fine-structure constant slightly different during photon decoupling from its present value. If $\alpha$ at that epoch is lower than its current value by $\Delta \alpha \simeq -2\times 10^{-5}$, then we can achieve the same Hubble tension resolution as in Cyr-Racine, et al. but with consistent Helium abundance. As an example of such time-evolution, we consider a toy model of an ultra-light scalar field, with mass $m <4\times 10^{-29}$ eV, coupled to electromagnetism, which evolves after photon decoupling and that appears to be consistent with late-time constraints on $\alpha$ variation and the weak equivalence principle.

Molecular Collapse States in Graphene/WSe_{2} Heterostructure Quantum Dots.

In relativistic physics, both atomic collapse in a heavy nucleus and Hawking radiation in a black hole are predicted to occur through the Klein tunneling process that couples particles and antiparticles. Recently, atomic collapse states (ACSs) were explicitly realized in graphene because of its relativistic Dirac excitation with a large "fine structure constant." However, the essential role of the Klein tunneling in the ACSs remains elusive in experiment. Here we systematically study the quasibound states in elliptical graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and two coupled circular GQDs. Bonding and antibonding molecular collapse states formed by two coupled ACSs are observed in both systems. Our experiments supported by theoretical calculations indicate that the antibonding state of the ACSs will change into a Klein-tunneling-induced quasibound state revealing deep connection between the ACSs and the Klein tunneling.

Highly charged ion (HCI) clocks: Frontier candidates for testing variation of fine-structure constant

Attempts are made to unify gravity with the other three fundamental forces of nature. As suggested by higher dimensional models, this unification may require space and time variation of some of the dimensionless fundamental constants. In this scenario, probing temporal variation of the electromagnetic fine structure constant (α=e2ℏc) in a low energy regime at the cosmological time scale is of immense interest. Atomic clocks are ideal candidates for probing α variation because their transition frequencies are measured with ultra-high precision. Since atomic transition frequency is a function of α, measurement of a clock frequency at different temporal and spatial locations can yield signatures to ascertain variation of α. Highly charged ions (HCIs) are very sensitive to variation of α and are least affected by external perturbations, making them excellent platforms for searching for temporal variation of α. In this work, we overview HCIs suitable for building atomic clocks because of their spectroscopic features and sensitivity to variation of α. The selection of HCI clock candidates is outlined based on two general rules—by analyzing trends in fine structure splitting and level-crossing patterns along a series of isoelectronic atomic systems of the periodic table. Two variants of relativistic many-body methods in the configuration interaction and coupled-cluster theory frameworks are employed to determine the properties of HCIs proposed for atomic clocks. These methods treat electronic correlation and relativistic effects under the frame of the Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian rigorously, while other higher-order relativistic effects are included approximately. Typical systematic effects of the HCI clock frequency measurements are discussed using the calculated atomic properties. This review will help understand limits and potentials of the proposed HCIs as the prospective atomic clock candidates and guide future HCI clock experiments.

Survey for Distant Solar Twins (SDST) – III. Identification of new solar twin and solar analogue stars

ABSTRACT The Survey for Distant Solar Twins aims to find stars very similar to the Sun at distances of 1–$4\, {\rm kpc}$, several times more distant than any currently known solar twins and analogues. The goal is to identify the best stars with which to test whether the fine-structure constant, α, varies with dark matter density in our Galaxy. Here, we use epic, our line-by-line differential technique, to measure the stellar parameters – effective temperature Teff, surface gravity log g, and metallicity [Fe/H] – from moderate-resolution (R ≲ 32 000) spectra of 877 solar twin and analogue candidates (547 at 1–$4\, {\rm kpc}$) observed with the High Efficiency and Resolution Multi-Element Spectrograph (HERMES) on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. These are consistent with expectations for Teff and log g from photometry, and for [Fe/H] from the Besançon stellar population model. epic provides small enough uncertainties ($\sim 90\, {\rm K}$, $0.08\, {\rm dex}$, and $0.05\, {\rm dex}$, respectively), even at the low signal-to-noise ratios available (${\rm S/N}\gtrsim$ 25 per pixel), to identify 299 new solar analogues ($\ge 90~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ confidence) and 20 solar twins (≥50 per cent confidence), 206 and 12 of which are at 1–$4\, {\rm kpc}$. By extending epic to measure line broadening and lithium abundance from HERMES spectra, and with ages derived from isochrone fitting with our stellar parameters, we identify 174 solar analogues at 1–$4\, {\rm kpc}$ that are relatively inactive, slowly rotating, and with no evidence of spectroscopic binarity. These are the preferred targets for follow-up spectroscopy to measure α.

Measurement quantization

We present principles of Measurement Quantization (MQ) and approaches to measurement that support the discreteness of measure. Several claims are addressed. Notably, that measure is discrete with respect to the internal frame, non-discrete with respect to the system frame and that length is contracted due to the discreteness of measure. We address the relation of angular measure to momentum, the physical significance of count bounds and that the fundamental measures — more precise expressions for Planck’s units — are an emergent property of the internal frame. Quantum experiments by Shwartz, et. al and CODATA provide physical support. We predict and derive values for elementary charge and the gravitational, Hubble, reduced Planck, electric, magnetic, Coulomb, and fine structure constants. We then correlate gravity with electromagnetism (unification). We present expressions for galactic rotation, dark matter, dark energy, and accelerating expansion. MQ advances over Loop Quantum Gravity with two frames, the difference which leads to the physical constants and the laws of nature. We correlate the quantum and cosmological, describing an inflation free quantum epoch, why it ceases and expansion. Therein are solutions to the horizon problem and homogenous, isotropic properties of the universe. Predictions include length contraction unrelated to special or general relativity (SR/GR), 13-digit measures of the gravitational constant, the Planck momentum, and universal mass accretion. A calculation of CMB age, quantity, present-day density and temperature provides additional support. Also offered, discrete solutions to the size and age of the universe, ground state orbital, SR, GR, and equivalence.

Casimir Self-Interaction Energy Density of Quantum Electrodynamic Fields.

Quantum electrodynamic fields possess fluctuations corresponding to transient particle-antiparticle dipoles, which can be characterized by a nonvanishing polarizability density. Here, we extend a recently proposed quantum scaling law to describe the volumetric and radial polarizability density of a quantum field corresponding to electrons and positrons and derive the Casimir self-interaction energy (SIE) density of the field, E[over ¯]_{SIE}, in terms of the fine-structure constant. The proposed model obeys the cosmological equation of state w=-1 and the magnitude of the calculated E[over ¯]_{SIE} lies in between the two recent measurements of the cosmological constant Λ obtained by the Planck Mission and the Hubble Space Telescope.

Dynamical effects from anomalies: Modified electrodynamics in Weyl semimetals

We discuss the modified quantum electrodynamics from a time-reversal-breaking Weyl semimetal coupled with a $U(1)$ gauge (electromagnetic) field. A key role is played by the soft dispersion of the photons in a particular direction, say $\stackrel{\ifmmode \hat{}\else \^{}\fi{}}{z}$, due to the Hall conductivity of the Weyl semimetal. Due to the soft photon, the fermion velocity in $\stackrel{\ifmmode \hat{}\else \^{}\fi{}}{z}$ is logarithmically reduced under renormalization group flow, together with the fine-structure constant. Meanwhile, fermions acquire a finite lifetime from spontaneous emission of the soft photon, namely, the Cherenkov radiation. At low-energy $E$, the inverse of the fermion lifetime scales as ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{\sim}E/\mathrm{PolyLog}(E)$. Therefore, even though fermion quasiparticles are eventually well-defined at very low energy, over a wide intermediate energy window the Weyl semimetal behaves like a marginal Fermi liquid. Phenomenologically, our results are more relevant for emergent Weyl semimetals, where the fermions and photons all emerge from strongly correlated lattice systems. Possible experimental implications are discussed.

An Electron Model Based on the Fine Structure Constant

In previous publications, the author has proposed a model of the electron’s internal structure, wherein a positively-charged negative mass outer shell and a negatively-charged positive mass central core are proposed to resolve the electron’s charge and mass inconsistencies. That model is modified in this document by assuming the electron’s radius is exactly equal to the classical electron radius. The attributes of the internal components of the electron’s structure have been recalculated accordingly. The shape of the electron is also predicted, and found to be slightly aspherical on the order of an oblate ellipsoid. This shape is attributed to centrifugal force and compliant outer shell material. It is interesting to note that all of the electron’s attributes, both external and internal, with the exception of mass and angular moment, are functions of the fine structure constant a, and can be calculated from just three additional constants: electron mass, Planck’s constant, and speed of light. In particular, the ratios of the outer shell charge and mass to the electron charge and mass, respectively, are 3/2a. The ratios of the central core charge and mass to the electron charge and mass, respectively, are 1-(3/2a). Attributes of the electron are compared with those of the muon. Charge and spin angular momentum are the same, while mass, magnetic moment, and radius appear to be related by the fine structure constant. The mass of the electron outer shell is nearly equal to the mass of the muon. The muon internal structure can be modeled exactly the same as for the electron, with exactly the same attribute relationships.

Formation of hot spots around small primordial black holes

In this paper, we investigate the thermalization of Hawking radiation from primordial black holes (PBHs) in the early Universe, taking into account the interference effect on thermalization of high energy particles, known as Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal (LPM) effect. Small PBHs with masses ≲ 109 g completely evaporate before the big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN). The Hawking radiation emitted from these PBHs heats up the ambient plasma with temperature lower than the Hawking temperature, which results in a non-trivial temperature profile around the PBHs, namely a hot spot surrounding a PBH with a broken power-law tail. We find that the hot spot has a core with a radius much larger than the black hole horizon and its highest temperature is independent of the initial mass of the PBH such as 2 × 109 GeV × (α/0.1)19/3, where α generically represents the fine-structure constants. We also briefly discuss the implications of the existence of the hot spot for phenomenology.

A Fine-Structure Constant Can Be Explained Using the Electrochemical Method

We proposed an empirical equation for a fine-structure constant: . Then, . where mp and me are the rest mass of a proton and the rest mass of an electron, respectively. In this report, using the electrochemical method, we proposed an equivalent circuit. Then, we proposed a refined version of our own old empirical equations about the electromagnetic force and gravity. Regarding the factors of 9/2 and π, we used 3.132011447 and 4.488519503, respectively. The calculated values of Tc and G are 2.726312 K and 6.673778 × 10-11 (m3⋅kg-1⋅s-2).

Explanation of the Necessity of the Empirical Equations That Relate the Gravitational Constant and the Temperature of the CMB

In previous papers, we proposed an empirical equation for the fine-structure constant. Using this equation, we proposed a refined version of our own former empirical equations about the electromagnetic force and gravity in terms of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background. The calculated values of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background (Tc) and the gravitational constant (G) were 2.726312 K and 6.673778 × 10-11 m3⋅kg-1⋅ s-2, respectively. Then, for the values of the factors 9/2 and π in our equations, we used 4.488519503 and 3.132011447, respectively. However, we could not provide a theoretical explanation for the necessity of these empirical equations. In this paper, using the redefinition method for the UNIT, we show the necessity for our empirical equations.

Unity Formulas for the Coupling Constants and the Dimensionless Physical Constants

In this paper in an elegant way will be presented the unity formulas for the coupling constants and the dimensionless physical constants. We reached the conclusion of the simple unification of the fundamental interactions. We will find the formulas for the Gravitational constant. It will be presented that the gravitational fine-structure constant is a simple analogy between atomic physics and cosmology. We will find the expression that connects the gravitational fine-structure constant with the four coupling constants. Perhaps the gravitational fine-structure constant is the coupling constant for the fifth force. Also will be presented the simple unification of atomic physics and cosmology. We will find the formulas for the cosmological constant and we will propose a possible solution for the cosmological parameters. Perhaps the shape of the universe is Poincare dodecahedral space. This article will be followed by the energy wave theory and the fractal space-time theory.

THE RELATIVISTIC OBSERVER: Consequences of a Linear Expansion of Spacetime

Communication Dynamics Theory, defined in a companion paper, offers a new approach to understanding Spacetime. In Communication Dynamics Theory, physical reality is assumed to arise from an anisotropic expansion of a one-dimensional communication network. In this paper, we perform a first approximation mathematical transformation of the theory into hyperbolic geometry. The resulting model provides a potential basis for developing insight pertaining to previously poorly understood fundamental constants of physics. As a demonstration, we define a proton, neutron, and electron, demonstrate the emergence of observable space and time, and generate heuristic estimates of Euler’s number, the fine structure constant, and π, as well as geometric descriptions of fundamental forces of nature, occurring as natural consequences of the linear dynamic expansion of Spacetime.

Probing Galactic variations in the fine-structure constant using solar twin stars: methodology and results

ABSTRACT The rich absorption spectra of Sun-like stars are enticing probes for variations in the fine-structure constant, α, which gauges the strength of electromagnetism. While individual line wavelengths are sensitive to α, they are also sensitive to physical processes in the stellar atmospheres, which has precluded their use so far. Here we demonstrate a new differential approach using solar twins: velocity separations between close pairs of transitions are compared across stars with very similar physical properties, strongly suppressing astrophysical and instrumental systematic errors. We utilize 423 archival exposures of 18 solar twins from the High-Accuracy Radial velocity Planetary Searcher (HARPS), in which calibration errors can be reduced to ≲3 m s−1. For stars with ≈10 high-signal-to-noise ratio spectra (≥200 per pixel), velocity separations between pairs are measured with ≈10 m s−1 statistical precision. A companion paper assesses a range of systematic error sources using 130 stars, with a greater range of stellar parameters, providing accurate corrections for astrophysical effects and a residual, intrinsic star-to-star scatter of 0–13 m s−1. Within these uncertainties, we find no evidence for velocity separation differences in 17 transition pairs between solar twins. In a second companion paper, this is found to limit local (≲50 pc) variations in α to ≈50 parts per billion, ∼2 orders of magnitude less than other Galactic constraints.

Probing Galactic variations in the fine-structure constant using solar twin stars: Systematic errors

ABSTRACT Sun-like stars are a new probe of variations in the fine-structure constant, α, via the solar twins approach: velocity separations of close pairs of absorption lines are compared between stars with very similar stellar parameters, i.e. effective temperature, metallicity, and surface gravity within 100 K, 0.1 dex, and 0.2 dex of the Sun’s values. Here, we assess possible systematic errors in this approach by analysing ≳10 000 archival exposures from the High-Accuracy Radial Velocity Planetary Searcher (HARPS) of 130 stars covering a much broader range of stellar parameters. We find that each transition pair’s separation shows broad, low-order variations with stellar parameters that can be accurately modelled, leaving only a small residual, intrinsic star-to-star scatter of 0–33 m s−1 (average ≈7 m s−1, ≈1 × 10−4 Å at 5000 Å). This limits the precision available from a single pair in a single star. We consider potential systematic errors from a range of instrumental and astrophysical sources (e.g. wavelength calibration, charge transfer inefficiency, stellar magnetic activity, line blending) and conclude that variations in elemental abundances, isotope ratios, and stellar rotational velocities may explain this star-to-star scatter. Finally, we find that the solar twins approach can be extended to solar analogues – within 300 K, 0.3 dex, and 0.4 dex of the Sun’s parameters – without significant additional systematic errors, allowing a much larger number of stars to be used as probes of variation in α, including at much larger distances.