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Related Experiment Videos

Time-varying alpha and particle physics.

Tom Banks1, Michael Dine, Michael Douglas

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University NHETC, Piscataway, New York, USA. banks@physics.rutgers.edu

Physical Review Letters
|April 17, 2002
PubMed
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Models explaining the fine structure constant variation with cosmic scalar fields are unstable under renormalization. These models require unexplained fine-tuning, challenging their physical validity.

Area of Science:

  • Cosmology
  • Theoretical Physics
  • Quantum Field Theory

Background:

  • The fine structure constant (α) is a fundamental physical constant governing the strength of electromagnetic interactions.
  • Observable variations in α have been proposed, potentially linked to cosmic evolution.
  • Scalar fields are hypothetical fields permeating spacetime, often invoked in cosmological models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the theoretical stability of models where cosmic scalar field motion explains variations in the fine structure constant.
  • To determine if such models are consistent with fundamental physics principles, specifically renormalization group flow.
  • To assess the necessity and plausibility of fine-tuning in these theoretical frameworks.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of renormalization group equations applied to scalar field theories coupled to electromagnetism.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of the stability conditions for the effective potential of the scalar field.
  • Investigation of parameter space to identify regions requiring fine-tuning.

    • Main Results:

    • Models proposing scalar field dynamics to explain observable fine structure constant variation are shown to be unstable under renormalization.
    • The effective theory describing these models necessitates significant fine-tuning of parameters to maintain consistency.
    • No known physical mechanism is identified to justify the required fine-tuning.

    Conclusions:

    • The theoretical framework for explaining fine structure constant variation via cosmic scalar fields lacks robustness.
    • Renormalization group instability and the requirement for unexplained fine-tuning render these models physically implausible.
    • Further theoretical developments are needed to reconcile potential variations in fundamental constants with stable physical theories.