Probing unification scenarios with atomic clocks

M. C. Ferreira, M. D. Julião, C. J. A. P. Martins, A. M. R. V. L. Monteiro

Resumo
We discuss the usage of measurements of the stability of nature’s fundamental constants coming from comparisons between atomic clocks as a means to constrain coupled variations of these constants in a broad class of unification scenarios. After introducing the phenomenology of these models, we provide updated constraints based on a global analysis of the latest experimental results. We obtain null results for the proton-to-electron mass ratio μ̇/μ = (0.68 ± 5.79) × 10^-16 yr^-1 and for the gyromagnetic factor ġ_p/g_p = (-0.72 ± 0.89) × 10^-16 yr^-1 (both of these being at the 95% confidence level). These results are compatible with theoretical expectations on unification scenarios, but much freedom exists due to the presence of a degeneracy direction in the relevant parameter space.

Physical Review D
Volume 86, Página 125025_1
dezembro 2012

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.86.125025
Código bibliográfico ADS: 2012PhRvD..86l5025F