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Fine-Structure Constant Refined Measurements:


beecee

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https://phys.org/news/2018-04-fine-structure-constant-dark-photon-theories.html

Measurement of the fine-structure constant casts doubt on dark photon theories: 

A team of researchers from the University of California and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has conducted an ultra-precise measurement of the fine-structure constant, and in so doing, have found evidence that casts doubts on dark photon theory. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their measurement process and what they found by using it.

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-04-fine-structure-constant-dark-photon-theories.html#jCp

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the paper:

DOI: 10.1126/science.aap7706

Abstract 
Measurements of the fine-structure constant α require methods from across subfields and are thus powerful tests of the consistency of theory and experiment in physics. Using the recoil frequency of cesium-133 atoms in a matter-wave interferometer, we recorded the most accurate measurement of the fine-structure constant to date: α = 1/137.035999046(27) at 2.0 × 10−10 accuracy. Using multiphoton interactions (Bragg diffraction and Bloch oscillations), we demonstrate the largest phase (12 million radians) of any Ramsey-Bordé interferometer and control systematic effects at a level of 0.12 part per billion. Comparison with Penning trap measurements of the electron gyromagnetic anomaly ge − 2 via the Standard Model of particle physics is now limited by the uncertainty in ge − 2; a 2.5σ tension rejects dark photons as the reason for the unexplained part of the muon's magnetic moment at a 99% confidence level. Implications for dark-sector candidates and electron substructure may be a sign of physics beyond the Standard Model that warrants further investigation. 

Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2018-04-fine-structure-constant-dark-photon-theories.html#jCp

Edited by beecee
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1 hour ago, JacobsLadder said:

Seems like a good study.

Can't say I'm upset to see dark photon theory getting a dose of reality. Nice idea but ultimatey more fantasy science for the scrap heap.

Science doesn't deal in fantasies, or the supernatural, or the paranormal. They by definition are simply the fantasy you speak of.

Science constructs models that match observations and make successful predictions. eg: GR and gravitational radiation. All such models are open for modification and/or rejection and change. That's science.

Edited by beecee
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1 hour ago, JacobsLadder said:

Can't say I'm upset to see dark photon theory getting a dose of reality. Nice idea but ultimatey more fantasy science for the scrap heap.

Without evidence one way or the other, there is no reason to be dismissive of hypotheses like this.

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