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Constraining fundamental constants with fast radio bursts: unveiling the role of energy scale.

Authors :
Kalita, Surajit
Source :
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. Sep2024, Vol. 533 Issue 1, pL57-L63. 7p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Understanding physical mechanisms relies on the accurate determination of fundamental constants, although inherent limitations in experimental techniques introduce uncertainties into these measurements. This paper explores the uncertainties associated with measuring the fine-structure constant (⁠|$\alpha$|⁠) and the proton-to-electron mass ratio (⁠|$\mu$|⁠) using observed fast radio bursts (FRBs). We select 50 localized FRBs to quantify the effects of varying this fundamental coupling on the relation between dispersion measure and redshift. By leveraging independent measurements of dispersion measures and redshifts of these FRBs, we constrain the uncertainties in |$\alpha$| and |$\mu$| approximately to |$\Delta \alpha /\alpha =1.99\times 10^{-5}$| and |$\Delta \mu /\mu =-1.00\times 10^{-5}$| within the standard |$\Lambda$| CDM cosmological framework. Remarkably, these constraints improve nearly an order-of-magnitude when considering a dynamical dark energy model. This investigation not only yields one of the most stringent constraints on |$\alpha$| and |$\mu$| to date but also emphasizes the criticality of accounting for the energy scale of the system when formulating constraints on fundamental parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17453925
Volume :
533
Issue :
1
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179399850
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnrasl/slae062