809595
An observational determination of the proton to electron mass ratio in the early Universe
In an effort to resolve the discrepancy between two measurements of the fundamental constant μ, the proton to electron mass ratio, at early times in the universe we reanalyze the same data used in the earlier studies. Our analysis of the molecular hydrogen absorption lines in archival Very Large Telescope/Ultraviolet and Visible Echelle Spectrometer (UVES) spectra of the damped Lyman alpha systems in the quasi-stellar objects Q0347-383 and Q0405-443 yields a combined measurement of a Δμ/μ value of (–7 ± 8) × 10–6, consistent with no change in the value of μ over a time span of 11.5 Gyr. Here, we define Δμ as (μ z – μ0) where μ z is the value of μ at a redshift of z and μ0 is the present-day value. Our null result is consistent with the recent measurements of King et al., Δμ/μ = (2.6 ± 3.0) × 10–6, and inconsistent with the positive detection of a change in μ by Reinhold et al. Both of the previous studies and this study are based on the same data but with differing analysis methods. Improvements in the wavelength calibration over the UVES pipeline calibration is a key element in both of the null results. This leads to the conclusion that the fundamental constant μ is unchanged to an accuracy of 10–5 over the last 80% of the age of the universe, well into the matter dominated epoch. This limit provides constraints on models of dark energy that invoke rolling scalar fields and also limits the parameter space of supersymmetric or string theory models of physics. New instruments, both planned and under construction, will provide opportunities to greatly improve the accuracy of these measurements.
59454090
Future mmVLBI Research with ALMA: A European vision
Very long baseline interferometry at millimetre/submillimetre wavelengths (mmVLBI) offers the highest achievable spatial resolution at any wavelength in astronomy. The anticipated inclusion of ALMA as a phased array into a global VLBI network will bring unprecedented sensitivity and a transformational leap in capabilities for mmVLBI. Building on years of pioneering efforts in the US and Europe the ongoing ALMA Phasing Project (APP), a US-led international collaboration with MPIfR-led European contributions, is expected to deliver a beamformer and VLBI capability to ALMA by the end of 2014 (APP: Fish et al. 2013, arXiv:1309.3519). This report focuses on the future use of mmVLBI by the international users community from a European viewpoint. Firstly, it highlights the intense science interest in Europe in future mmVLBI observations as compiled from the responses to a general call to the European community for future research projects. A wide range of research is presented that includes, amongst others: - Imaging the event horizon of the black hole at the centre of the Galaxy - Testing the theory of General Relativity an/or searching for alternative theories - Studying the origin of AGN jets and jet formation - Cosmological evolution of galaxies and BHs, AGN feedback - Masers in the Milky Way (in stars and star-forming regions) - Extragalactic emission lines and astro-chemistry - Redshifted absorption lines in distant galaxies and study of the ISM and circumnuclear gas - Pulsars, neutron stars, X-ray binaries - Testing cosmology - Testing fundamental physical constants
6659171
Quantitative string evolution.
An analytic model of long string network evolution, recently developed by the authors, is presented in detail, and modified to describe string loop evolution. By treating the average string velocity, as well as the characteristic lengthscale, as dynamical variables, one can include the effects of frictional forces on the evolution of the network. This generalized `one-scale' model provides a quantitative picture of the complete evolution of a string network, including the prediction of previously unknown transient scaling regimes and a detailed analysis of the evolution of the loop population. The evolution of all cosmologically interesting string networks is studied in detail, and possible consequences of our results are discussed.
6031545
Primordial adiabatic fluctuations from cosmic defects
In the context of "two-metric" theories of gravity there is the possibility that cosmic defects will produce a spectrum of primordial adiabatic density perturbations, when the speed characterizing the defect-producing scalar field is much larger than the speed characterizing gravity and standard model particles. This model will exactly mimic the standard predictions of inflationary models, with the exception of a small non-Gaussian signal which could be detected by future experiments.
118583666
Evolution of local and global monopole networks
We present an extension of the velocity-dependent one-scale model for cosmic string evolution, which is suitable for describing the evolution of local and global monopole networks. We discuss the key dynamical features that need to be accounted for, in particular, the fact that the driving force is due to the other monopoles (rather than being due to local curvature as in the case of extended objects) and new forms of energy-loss terms due to monopole-antimonopole capture and annihilation. For the case of local monopoles we recover and generalize the results of Preskill, suggesting that the scaling law for the monopole correlation length is very sensitive to the annihilation rate. On the other hand, for global monopoles the long-range forces generically lead to linear scaling (just like in the case of local cosmic strings). In this case we also find good qualitative agreement between our results and the numerical simulations of Bennett and Rhie and Yamaguchi, although future high-resolution simulations will be needed for quantitative comparisons.
27273507
Cosmology with varying constants.
The idea of possible time or space variations of the 'fundamental' constants of nature, although not new, is only now beginning to be actively considered by large numbers of researchers in the particle physics, cosmology and astrophysics communities. This revival is mostly due to the claims of possible detection of such variations, in various different contexts and by several groups. I present the current theoretical motivations and expectations for such variations, review the current observational status and discuss the impact of a possible confirmation of these results in our views of cosmology and physics as a whole.
55675624
THE RF POWER SOURCE FOR THE HIGH BETA ELLIPTICAL CAVITIES OF THE ESS LINAC
The European Spallation Source (ESS) is an intergovernmental project building amultidisciplinary research laboratory based upon the worlds most powerful neutron source. The main facility will be built in Lund, Sweden. Construction is expected to start around 2013 and the first neutrons will be produced in 2019. The ESS linac will deliver 5 MW of power to the target at 2.5 GeV, with a nominal current of 50 mA. The 120 high beta elliptical cavities, which operate at a frequency of 704 MHz and accelerate protons from 600 MeV to 2.5 GeV, account for more than half of the total number of RF cavities in the ESS linac and three quarters of the total beam power needed. Because of the large number of RF power sources and the high power level needed, all the design and development efforts for the RF power source have so far been focused on this part of the accelerator. The design and development status of the RF power source is reported in this paper with emphasis on reliability, maintainability, safety, power efficiency, investment cost and production capacity. (Less)