A molecular probe of dark energy

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Thompson, RI (Author) Other; Bechtold, J (Author) Other; Eisenstein, D (Author) Other; Fan, XH (Author) Other; Arnett, D (Author) Other; Martins, CJAP (Author) FCUP; Kennicutt, R (Author) Other; Black, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Advances in Space Research

Vol. 42

Pages: 596-598

ISSN: 0273-1177

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-X3D

DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2007.07.009

Abstract (EN): Many theoretical models of dark energy invoke rolling scaler fields which in turn predict time varying values of the fundamental constants. Establishing the value of the fundamental constants at various times in the universe can probe and test the various dark energy theories. One of the constants that is predicted to vary is the ratio of the electron to proton mass mu. It was established early on that molecular spectra are sensitive to the value of mu and can be used as probes of that value. This article describes the use of the spectrum of molecular hydrogen in high redshift Damped Lyman Alpha systems (DLAs) as a sensitive probe of the time evolution of mu.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3