Universe fine-structure constant

The Fine-Structure Constant A Strange Number with Universal Significance... 

There are many constants in physics, but there are only a few fundamental constants and they are special because they have universal significance. Although the fine-structure constant is the subject of this chapter, let s begin with six other basic constants of nature. These six, with their current best values, are ... 

A value of the fine-structure constant obtained from the magnetic moment anomaly of the electron measured at the University of Washington... 

Comparison of (7.2.5) with experiment defines the usual fine structure constant a which is then used as the (renormalised) coupling parameter in the Lagrangian. This is the universally accepted procedure. 

It also has been a law of nature for a long time. The physical laws haven t changed much since the universe began—and physicists have checked. In particular, the fine structure constant in 7-bilhon-year-old hght from 7-bilhon-year-old interstellar methanol is the same as today s constant. This means that yesteryear s methanol forms bonds in the same way as today s methanol. The Earth is less than 5 billion years old, and the chemistry behind the Irving-Wilhams series has been constant throughout time. 

The fine structure of optical transitions is determined by several main parameters the energy values of the maxima Ei and half-widths H of the component bands, oscillator strengths 7, and the areas of the bands which equal transition intensity, to within a universal constant factor, and the amplitudes k of the components maxima. The techniques used in the paper were discussed and applied. ... 

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