Abstract
We have previously presented 5.7 σ evidence for a smaller α at redshifts 0.2 < z abs <3.7 from a sample of 128 Keck/HIRES quasar absorption systems:△α/α=(-0.57±0.01) . A non-zero △α/α manifests itself as a distinct pattern of shifts in the measured absorption line wavelengths. The statistical error is now small: we do detect small line shifts in the HIRES data Whether these shifts are due to systematic errors or due to real variation in α is now the central question. Here we summarize the two potentially most ;important systematic effects: atmospheric dispersion and isotopic abundance evolution. Previously, these have been difficult to quantify/model but here we find that neither of them can explain our results. Furthermore, the HIRES spectra themselves contain no evidence for these effects. Independent measurements of △α/α with a different telescope and spectrograph are now crucial if we are to rule out or confirm the present evidence for a variable α
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Murphy, M.T., Webb, J.K., Flambaum, V.V., Curran, S.J. (2003). Does the Fine Structure Constant Vary? A Detailed Investigation into Systematic Effects. In: Martins, C.J.A.P. (eds) The Cosmology of Extra Dimensions and Varying Fundamental Constants. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3272-7_18
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3272-7_18
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