Departmental Seminar:
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May 04, 2005 11:00 AM,
Effects of variation of fundamental constants from Big Bang to atomic clocks.
Speaker: Flambaum, Victor (UNSW)
Abstract: Theories unifying gravity with other interactions suggest temporal and spatial variation of the fundamental "constants" in expanding Universe. I discuss effects of variation of the fine structure constant alpha=e2/h c, strong interaction and quark mass. The measurements of these variations cover lifespan of the Universe from few minutes after Big Bang to the present time and give controversial results. There are some hints for the variation in Big Bang nucleosynthesis, quasar absorption spectra and Oklo natural nuclear reactor data. A very promising method to search for the variation of the fundamental constants consists in comparison of different atomic clocks. A billion times enhancement of the variation effects happens in transition between accidentally degenerate atomic energy levels.
Contact: Bazhanov Vladimir Vladimir.Bazhanov@anu.edu.au Tel.(02) 6125-5500
