Composition-dependent long range forces from varying mp/me
Open accessAbstract
We relate possible cosmological variations in the mass ratio μ ≡ m p / m e and the fine structure constant α to long range composition-dependent forces mediated by a scalar field. The differential acceleration η in Eötvös-type experiments is bounded below by 10 −14 , except in cases where one or more scalar couplings vanish. We consider what values for these couplings could arise from unified theories. By considering the contribution of the scalar field to the cosmological energy density we use bounds on η to put upper bounds on the current rate of change of μ and α.
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The composition dependence of da_A and g_AB can be used to optimize the choice of materials for equivalence-principle experiments and to distinguish between models when data from universality of free fall and atomic clocks are combined.
“The composition dependence of da A and thus of g AB can be used to optimize the choice of materials for the experiments testing the equivalence principle (Damour 1996;Damour andDonoghue 2008, 2010b) but also to distinguish between several models if data from the universality of free fall and atomic clocks are combined (Dent 2007).”
From Fundamental constants: from measurement to the universe, a window on gravitation and cosmology (2025) · cites this paper as Dent 2007
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“This analysis was extended in [143] who included explicitly the electron and related the violation of the universality of free fall to the variation of μ.”
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“We assume that all baryonic matter will vary in the same manner, such that variations in molecular mass and µ (Dent 2007) are synonymous.”
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“In action (16), Sμν is Sμν = ςRμν − θ 2 gμνR, (17)”
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- Authors
- Dent, T.
- Corresponding author
- Dent, Thomas
- ORCID
- Dent, Thomas
- Venue
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2007-01-12
- Volume
- 2007
- Issue
- 01
- Pages
- 013-013
- ISSN
- 1475-7508 (ISSN-L)
- 1475-7516
- OpenAlex
- W2086939115
- Cited by
- 30
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (publishedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
- CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Relativity and Gravitational Theory
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Advanced Mathematical Theories and Applications
- Keywords
- fine-structure constant variation, long-range interactions, scalar field coupling, differential acceleration, unified theory, variation of fundamental constants
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