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arXiv 1406.3628astro-ph.COastro-ph.GA
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用类星体窄吸收线观测约束精细结构常数的变化

Constraining the Variation of the Fine Structure Constant with Observations of Narrow Quasar Absorption Lines

A. Songaila, L. L. Cowie

摘要:

试图测量精细结构常数α随宇宙学时间的变化,使用高红移类星体的光谱产生了相互矛盾的结果。我们使用许多多重(MM)的方法与Mg II和Fe II线非常高的信噪比,高分辨率(R = 72,000)凯克HIRES光谱的8个窄类星体吸收系统,并考虑系统的不确定性,在光谱仪波长校准和速度偏移也引入内部速度结构。在红移z = 0.7 - 1.5的范围内,我们发现α没有显著变化,Δ(α)/α =(0.43 +/- 0.34)x 10^(-5)(统计和系统)。即使对于明显简单和窄的吸收系统,吸收线结构引起的Delta(alpha)/alpha测量中的散射也可以显著大于指定的统计误差。我们发现Delta(alpha)/alpha =的结果为空(-0.59 +/-0.55)x10 ^(-5)在z = 1.7382的系统中使用Cr II、Zn II和Mn II,而在z = 1.6614的系统中使用Cr II和Zn II,我们发现系统速度趋势,其被解释为α的偏移,意味着Delta(alpha)/alpha =(1.88 +/- 0.47)x 10^(-5)(统计加系统)。后一种结果几乎肯定是由线的子成分中不同的离子丰度引起的。我们的结论是,光谱测量类星体吸收线还没有能够明确地检测变化的α使用MM方法。

英文摘要:

Attempts to measure the variability of the fine structure constant alpha over cosmological time, using spectra of high redshift quasars have produced conflicting results. We use the Many Multiplet (MM) method with Mg II and Fe II lines on very high signal-to-noise, high resolution (R = 72,000) Keck HIRES spectra of eight narrow quasar absorption systems and consider both systematic uncertainties in spectrograph wavelength calibration and also velocity offsets introduced by internal velocity structure. We find no significant change in alpha, Delta(alpha)/alpha =(0.43 +/- 0.34)x 10^(-5), in the redshift range z = 0.7 - 1.5 (statistical and systematic). Scatter in measurements of Delta(alpha)/alpha arising from absorption line structure can be considerably larger than assigned statistical errors even for apparently simple and narrow absorption systems. We find a null result of Delta(alpha)/alpha = (-0.59 +/- 0.55) x 10^(-5) in a system at z = 1.7382 using Cr II, Zn II and Mn II, whereas using Cr II and Zn II in a system at z = 1.6614 we find a systematic velocity trend which, interpreted as a shift in alpha, would imply Delta(alpha)/alpha = (1.88 +/- 0.47) x 10^(-5) (statistical plus systematic). This latter result is almost certainly caused by varying ionic abundances in subcomponents of the line. We conclude that spectroscopic measurements of quasar absorption lines are not yet capable of unambiguously detecting variation in alpha using the MM method.

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