Probing Variations In The Fundamental Constants With Quasar Absorption Lines
Creators: name: Murphy, Michael T.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2003
Subjects: Astronomy
Quasars
Quasar absorption line spectroscopy
Fundamental constants
Fine-structure constant
Spectroscopy
Galaxies

description: Precision cosmology challenges many aspects of fundamental physics. In particular, quasar absorption lines test the assumed constancy of fundamental constants over cosmological time-scales and distances. Until recently, the most reliable technique was the alkali doublet (AD) method where the measured doublet separation probes variations in the fine-structure constant, \(\alpha \equiv e^2/\hbar c\). However, the recently introduced many-multiplet (MM) method provides several advantages, including a demonstrated ≈10-fold precision gain. This thesis presents detailed MM analyses of 3 independent Keck/HIRES samples containing 128 absorption systems with \(0.2 &lt; z_{\rm abs} &lt; 3.7\). We find \(5.6\sigma\) statistical evidence for a smaller α in the absorption clouds: \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha = (-0.574 \pm 0.102) \times 10^{-5}\). All three samples separately yield consistent, significant \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\). The data marginally prefer constant \(d\alpha/dt\) rather than constant \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\). The two-point correlation function for α and the angular distribution of \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\) give no evidence for spatial variations. We also analyse 21 Keck/HIRES Si iv doublets, obtaining a 3-fold relative precision gain over previous AD studies: \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha = (0.5 \pm 1.3) \times 10^{-5}\) for \(2.0 &lt; z_{\rm abs} &lt; 3.1\). Our statistical evidence for varying α requires careful consideration of systematic errors. Modelling demonstrates that atmospheric dispersion is potentially important. However, the quasar spectra suggest a negligible effect on \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\). Cosmological variation in Mg isotopic abundances may affect \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\) at \(z_{\rm abs} &lt; 1.8\). Galactic observations and theory suggest diminished <sup>25,26</sup>Mg abundances in the low metallicity quasar absorbers. Removing <sup>25,26</sup>Mg isotopes yields more negative \(\Delta\alpha/\alpha\) values. Overall, known systematic errors can not explain our results. We also constrain variations in \(y = \alpha^2g_{\rm p}\), comparing H I 21-cm and millimetre-wave molecular absorption in 2 systems. Fitting both the H I and molecular lines yields the tightest, most reliable current constraints: \(\Delta y/y = (-0.20 \pm 0.44) \times 10^{-5}\) and \(\Delta y/y = (-0.16 \pm 0.54) \times 10^{-5}\) at \(z_{\rm abs} = 0.2467\) and 0.6847 respectively. Possible line-of-sight velocity differences between the H I and molecular absorbing regions dominate these \(1\sigma\) errors. A larger sample of mm/H I comparisons is required to reliably quantify this uncertainty and provide a potentially crucial check on the MM result.
description: Thesis is 270 pages long. Note that Appendix C-3 is omitted in this version because the relevant data were not published by their owners.

Thesis submitted 20 December 2002, accepted 6 May 2003. PhD awarded 13 May 2003.
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