A search for varying fundamental constants using hertz-level frequency measurements of cold CH molecules
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Many modern theories predict that the fundamental constants depend on time, position or the local density of matter. Here we develop a spectroscopic method for pulsed beams of cold molecules, and use it to measure the frequencies of microwave transitions in CH with accuracy down to 3 Hz. By comparing these frequencies with those measured from sources of CH in the Milky Way, we test the hypothesis that fundamental constants may differ between the high- and low-density environments of the Earth and the interstellar medium. For the fine structure constant we find Δα/α=(0.3±1.1) × 10−7, the strongest limit to date on such a variation of α. For the electron-to-proton mass ratio we find Δμ/μ=(−0.7±2.2) × 10−7. We suggest how dedicated astrophysical measurements can improve these constraints further and can also constrain temporal variation of the constants.
Date Issued
2013-10-15
Date Acceptance
2013-09-12
Citation
Nature Communications, 2013, 4
ISSN
2041-1723
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
Nature Communications
Volume
4
Copyright Statement
© 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000326471300004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/I012044/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Interstellar-CH
Precision-measurements
Radio observations
Transitions
Absorption
Excitation
Emission
Spectra
Lines
Ratio
MD Multidisciplinary
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 2600