Abstract

This thesis addresses the issue of the time variability of the fine structure constant, alpha. Recent claims of a varying alpha are set against the established standards of quantum electrodynamical theory and experiments. A study of the feasibility of extracting data on the time dependence of alpha using particles in Penning traps is compared to the results obtained by existing methods, including those using astrophysical data and those obtained in atomic clock experiments. Suggestions are made on the nature of trapped particles and the trapping fields.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Physical and Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2004-07-13

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd496

Keywords

Fine Structure Constant Variability, Lorentz Invariance, Constants, Penning Trap, Time Dependent Constants

Language

English

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