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Title:
Does the fine structure constant vary? A detailed investigation into systematic effects
Authors:
Murphy, M. T.; Webb, J. K.; Flambaum, V. V.; Curran, S. J.
Affiliation:
AA(School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney N.S.W. 2052E-mail: (MTM)), AB(School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney N.S.W. 2052E-mail: (MTM)), AC(School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney N.S.W. 2052E-mail: (MTM)), AD(School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney N.S.W. 2052E-mail: (MTM))
Publication:
Astrophysics and Space Science, v. 283, Issue 4, p. 577-582 (2003). (Ap&SS Homepage)
Publication Date:
00/2003
Origin:
KLUWER
DOI:
10.1023/A:1022570532369
Bibliographic Code:
2003Ap&SS.283..577M

Abstract

We have previously presented 5.7 σ evidence for a smaller α at redshifts 0.2 < zabs < 3.7 from a sample of 128 Keck/HIRES quasar absorption systems: Δα/α = (-0.57 +/- 0.10) x 10-5. A non-zero <Δα/α manifests itself as a distinct pattern of shifts in the measured absorption line wavelengths. The statistical error is now small: we do detect small line shifts in the HIRES data. Whether these shifts are due to systematic errors or due to real variation in α is now the central question. Here we summarize the two potentially most important systematic effects: atmospheric dispersion and isotopic abundance evolution. Previously, these have been difficult to quantify/model but here we find that neither of them can explain our results. Furthermore, the HIRES spectra themselves contain no evidence for these effects. Independent measurements of Δα/α with a different telescope and spectrograph are now crucial if we are to rule out or confirm the present evidence for a variable α.
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