Testing the stability of the fine structure constant in the laboratory

N. Kolachevsky; A. Matveev; J. Alnis; C. G. Parthey; T. Steinmetz; T. Wilken; R. Holzwarth; T. Udem; T. W. Hänsch

doi:10.1007/s11214-009-9564-z

Testing the stability of the fine structure constant in the laboratory

N. Kolachevsky^*
, A. Matveev
, J. Alnis
, C. G. Parthey
, T. Steinmetz
, T. Wilken
, R. Holzwarth
, T. Udem
, T. W. Hänsch

^*Corresponding author for this work

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
Lebedev Physical Institute
Menlo Systems
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this review we discuss the progress of the past decade in testing for a possible temporal variation of the fine structure constant α. Advances in atomic sample preparation, laser spectroscopy and optical frequency measurements led to rapid reduction of measurement uncertainties. Eventually laboratory tests became the most sensitive tool to detect a possible variation of α at the present epoch. We explain the methods and technologies that helped to make this possible.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	267-288
Number of pages	22
Journal	Space Science Reviews
Volume	148
Issue number	1-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-009-9564-z
Publication status	Published - Jan 2009
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Drift of the fine structure constant
Frequency comb
Laser stabilization

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10.1007/s11214-009-9564-z

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abstract = "In this review we discuss the progress of the past decade in testing for a possible temporal variation of the fine structure constant α. Advances in atomic sample preparation, laser spectroscopy and optical frequency measurements led to rapid reduction of measurement uncertainties. Eventually laboratory tests became the most sensitive tool to detect a possible variation of α at the present epoch. We explain the methods and technologies that helped to make this possible.",

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AU - Kolachevsky, N.

AU - Matveev, A.

AU - Alnis, J.

AU - Parthey, C. G.

AU - Steinmetz, T.

AU - Wilken, T.

AU - Holzwarth, R.

AU - Udem, T.

AU - Hänsch, T. W.

PY - 2009/1

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N2 - In this review we discuss the progress of the past decade in testing for a possible temporal variation of the fine structure constant α. Advances in atomic sample preparation, laser spectroscopy and optical frequency measurements led to rapid reduction of measurement uncertainties. Eventually laboratory tests became the most sensitive tool to detect a possible variation of α at the present epoch. We explain the methods and technologies that helped to make this possible.

AB - In this review we discuss the progress of the past decade in testing for a possible temporal variation of the fine structure constant α. Advances in atomic sample preparation, laser spectroscopy and optical frequency measurements led to rapid reduction of measurement uncertainties. Eventually laboratory tests became the most sensitive tool to detect a possible variation of α at the present epoch. We explain the methods and technologies that helped to make this possible.

KW - Drift of the fine structure constant

KW - Frequency comb

KW - Laser stabilization

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ER -

Testing the stability of the fine structure constant in the laboratory

Abstract

Keywords

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