Observational Constraints on Varying-Alpha Domain Walls

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2015

Autores

Avelino, PP (Autor) FCUP; Sousa, L (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Universe

Vol. 1

Páginas: 6-16

ISSN: 2218-1997

Editora: MDPI

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citações

Scopus - 6 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00P-B9F

DOI: 10.3390/universe1010006

Abstract (EN): We consider the possibility that current hints of spatial variations of the fine structure constant at high redshift, based on VLT/UVES and Keck/HIRES observations, could be caused by a biased domain wall network described by a scalar field non- minimally coupled to the electromagnetic field. We show that in order to be responsible for the reported spatial variations of the fine structure constant, the fractional contribution of the domain wall network to the energy density of the Universe should be tightly constrained within the range 10(-10) < Omega(w0) < 10(-5). We also show that the domain wall dynamics should be essentially frictionless, so that its characteristic scale is in the order of the Hubble radius at the present time

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 11