A molecular probe of dark energy
Journal article, 2008
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 μ. It was established early on that molecular spectra are sensitive to the value of μ 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 μ.
quasars
dark energy
Author
Rodger I. Thompson
University of Arizona
Jill Bechtold
University of Arizona
Daniel Eisenstein
University of Arizona
Xiaohui Fan
University of Arizona
David Arnett
University of Arizona
Carlos Martins
University of Cambridge
University of Porto
R.C. Kennicutt
University of Cambridge
John H Black
Chalmers, Department of Radio and Space Science, Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics
Advances in Space Research
0273-1177 (ISSN) 18791948 (eISSN)
Vol. 42 3 596-598Subject Categories
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
DOI
10.1016/j.asr.2007.07.009