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/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Evans, Jason Lott, "On the Variability of the Fine Structure Constant" (2004). Theses and Dissertations. 144.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/144
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