Variations of Fundamental Constants and Applications to Astrophysics and Cosmology

Dear Colleagues,

The possibility of the variation of fundamental constants would impact all present physical theory, while all reported variations or interpretations of data concluding a constant has varied are extremely controversial. Many workers have postulated that the fundamental constants of nature are not constant either locally, or non-locally. Examples of work in this area include Dirac’s Large Number Hypotheses [1], the Oklo mine from which could be extracted a variation of the fine structure constant [2,3], and the observations of quasars bounding the variation of the latter per year to one part in 10¹⁷ [4–6]. Recent theoretical work includes the impact of time dependent stochastic fluctuations of Planck’s constant [7], and the changes with Planck’s constant on mixed quantum states [8]. An authoritative review of the status of the variations of fundamental constants is given in [9].

There is controversial evidence that Planck’s constant shows unexpected variations with altitude above the earth due to Kentosh and Mohageg [10–11], and yearly systematic changes with the orbit of the earth about the sun due to Hutchin [12]. Consistent sinusoidal oscillations in the decay rate of a number of radioactive elements with periods of one year taken over a 20 year span has been reported [13–18]. These measurements were taken by six organizations on three continents. As both the strong and weak forces were involved in the decay processes, variations in the forces coupling constants, mediating particle masses, and other explanations consistent with the central theme would be encouraged as submissions.

ΛCDM is the standard cosmological model to which most physicists are committed. However, no dark matter particle has ever been observed, directly or indirectly. Many Modified Gravity Theories rely on either a direct, or effective, variation of a fundamental constant, treated as a scalar field. Important minority alternative classical relativistic field theories of gravity, such as the Scalar-Vector-Tensor (SVTG) or Modified Gravity (MOG) of Moffat, f(R) Gravity, the Tensor-Vector-Scalar (TeVeS) gravity of Bekenstein, and non-relativistic Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) of Milgrom, are all capable of describing the flattening of galaxy rotation curves without resort to dark matter. MOG introduces multiple additional fields coupled to the Einstein-Hilbert action. TeVeS and MOND modify General Relativity and Newtonian dynamics with acceleration dependent form changes. f(R) gravity modifies General Relativity to include modifiable functions of the Ricci scalar in the Lagrangian. Horndeski Gravity is a generalized amalgam of theories. The case for the existence of dark matter is very strong based on astrophysical observations, yet the approaches listed above continue to be investigated because of the lack of direct concrete evidence of dark matter quanta (axions, WIMP’s), much based on the Jordan-Brans-Dicke-like scalar-tensor theory of alternative General Relativity with variable G, an Albrecht-Magueijo-Barrow-Moffat-like field for c, Bekenstein’s variable e²  [19–26].

In addition, a complete theory of quantum gravity does not presently exist, and its mediating particle (the graviton) has not been observed. The Cosmological Constant, as Dark Energy whose origin is not presently understood, driving the accelerated of the expansion of the Universe, and also the Vacuum Catastrophe still unresolved, are persistent problems.

Both Dark Matter and Dark Energy, or together as Dark Gravity, have been invoked to explain a large number of other phenomena: the accelerated expansion; large-scale structure and anisotropy of matter in the Universe; Galaxy formation; anisotropy of the Cosmic Microwave Background and its Power Spectrum; observations concerning The Bullet Cluster; larger than expected gravitational lensing of Galaxy Clusters.

New ideas need to be generated for Modified Theories of Gravity that are eventually capable of coping with all of these observations simultaneously. Extensions of existing Modified Gravity theories, or hybrids of Modified Gravity and Dark Gravity would be welcomed, with development of what phenomena they can explain. Variations of Fundamental Constants should be transparently elucidated in the theories.

Noted experimental deviations with the predictions of General Relativity, evidenced in Gravitational Wave signatures, multi-messenger astronomy, behaviors of massive objects (black holes, neutron stars) and their particle/field descriptions would be also.

Exploration of temporal and spatial variations of fundamental constants, both dimensionless or dimensioned (with arguments for and against), experimental and theoretical, with implications relevant to Dark Gravity, will be considered.

References:

[1] P. A. M. Dirac, A New Basis for Cosmology. Proc. Royal Soc. London A 165 (921) 199–208 (1938)

[2] A. P. Meshik, The Workings of an Ancient Nuclear Reactor, Scientific American, January 26, (2009)

[3] J.-P. Uzan and B. Leclercq, The Natural Laws of the Universe: Understanding Fundamental Constants. Springer Science & Business Media, (2010)

[4] J. K. Webb, M. T. Murphy, V. V. Flambaum, V. A. Dzuba, J. D. Barrow, C. W. Churchill, and A. M. Wolfe, Further evidence for cosmological evolution of the fine structure constant. Phys. Rev. Lett. 87(9), 091301 (2001)

[5] Sze-Shiang Feng, Mu-Lin Yan, Implication of Spatial and Temporal Variationsof the Fine-Structure Constant, Int. J. Theor. Phys. 55, 1049–1083 (2016)

[6] L. Kraiselburd, S. J. Landau, and C. Simeone, Variation of the fine-structure constant: an update of statistical analyses with recent data. Astronomy & Astrophysics 557, (2013)

[7] G. Mangano, F. Lizzi, and A. Porzio, Inconstant Planck’s constant, Int. J. of Mod. Phys. A 30(34) (2015) 1550209

[8] Maurice A. de Gosson, Mixed Quantum States with Variable Planck’s Constant, Physics Letters AVolume381, Issue 36, Pages 3033-303 (2017)

[9] Jean-Philippe Uzan, The fundamental constants and their variation: observational and theoretical status, Reviews of Modern Physics, 75, 403-455 (2003)

[10] J. Kentosh and M. Mohageg, Global positioning system test of the local position invariance of Planck’s constant, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108(11) (2012) 110801

[11] J. Kentosh and M. Mohageg, Testing the local position invariance of Planck’s constant in general relativity. Physics Essays 28(2), 286–289 (2015)

[12] Richard A. Hutchin, Experimental Evidence for Variability in Planck’s Constant, Optics and Photonics Journal, 6, 124-137 (2016)

[13] Ellis, K.J., The Effective Half-Life of a Broad Beam 238 Pu/Be Total Body Neutron Radiator. Physics in Medicineand Biology, 35, 1079-1088(1990)http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/35/8/004

[14] Falkenberg, E.D., Radioactive Decay Caused by Neutrinos? Apeiron, 8, 32-45(2001)

[15] Alburger, D.E., Harbottle, G. and Norton, E.F., Half-Life of 32Si. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 78, 168-176(1986). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(86)90058-0

[16] Jenkins, J.H., et al., Analysis of Experiments Exhibiting Time Varying Nuclear Decay Rates: Systematic Effectsor New Physics?(2011)  http://arxiv.org/abs/1106.1678

[17] Parkhomov, A.G., Researches of Alpha and Beta Radioactivity at Long-Term Observations.(2010) http://arxiv.org/abs/1004.1761

[18] Siegert, H., Schrader, H. and Schötzig, U.,Half-Life Measurements of Europium Radionuclides and theLong-Term Stability of Detectors. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 49, 1397(1998).http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0969-8043(97)10082-3

[19] J.D.Bekenstein,Fine-structure constant: Is it really a constant, Phys.Rev. D 25,1527(1982)

[20] J.D. Bekenstein, Fine-structure constant variability, equivalence principle and cosmology, Phys. Rev. D66, 123514 (2002)

[21] C. Wetterich, Naturalness of exponential cosmon potentials and the cosmological constant problem (2018), preprint https://arxiv.org/abs/0801.3208

[22] C. Wetterich, Cosmon inflation. (2013) preprint https://arxiv.org/abs/1303.4700

[23]A. Albrecht; J. Magueijo, A time varying speed of light as a solution to cosmological puzzles. Phys. Rev. D59 (4): 043516 (1999)

[24] J.D. Barrow, Cosmologies with varying light-speed. Physical Review D. 59 (4): 043515 (1998)

[25] J. W. Moffat, Superluminary universe: A Possible solution to the initial value problem in cosmology Int.J.Mod.Phys. D2 351-366(1993)

[26] J. W. Moffat, Variable Speed of Light Cosmology, Primordial Fluctuations and Gravitational Waves. Eur. Phys. J. C 76:13(2016)

Dr. Rand Dannenberg
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Variable Fundamental Constants
• Modified Gravity
• Dark Energy
• Dark Matter
• Dark Gravity
• Galaxy Rotation Curves
• Cosmology
• Accelerated Expasion of the Universe
• Quintessience
• Cosmological Constant
• Gravitational Properties of the Vacuum
• Black Holes