171 research outputs found
Robust limit on a varying proton-to-electron mass ratio from a single H2 system
The variation of the dimensionless fundamental physical constant mu=m_p/m_e
can be checked through observation of Lyman and Werner lines of molecular
hydrogen in the spectra of distant QSOs. Our intention is to asses the accuracy
of the investigation concerning a possible variation of mu and to provide more
robust results for QSO 0347-383. The goal in mind is to resolve the current
controversy on variation of mu and devise explanations for the different
findings. We achieve this not by another single result but by providing
alternative approaches to the problem. An analysis based on independent data
sets of QSO 0347-383 is put forward and new approaches for some of the steps
involved in the data analysis are introduced. We analyse two independent sets
of observations of the same absorption system and for the first time we apply
corrections for the observed offsets between discrete spectra Drawing on two
independent observations of a single absorption system in QSO 0347-383 our
detailed analysis yields dmu/mu = 15 +/- (9_stat + 6_sys) x 10^{-6} at
z_abs=3.025. Based on the overall goodness-of-fit we estimate the limit of
accuracy to about 300 m/s, consisting of roughly 180 m/s due to the uncertainty
of the fit and about 120 m/s allocated to systematics This work presents
alternative approaches to handle systematics and introduces methods required
for precision analysis of QSO spectra available in the near future.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, submitted to A&
The primordial lithium abundance
Lithium abundances in a selected sample of halo stars have been revised by
using the new accurate IRFM effective temperatures by Alonso, Arribas &
Martinez-Roger (1996a). From 41 plateau stars (Teff > 5700 and [Fe/H] <= -1.5)
we found no evidence for intrinsic dispersion, a tiny trend with Teff and no
trend with [Fe/H]. The trend with the Teff is fully consistent with the
standard Li isochrones of Deliyannis, Demarque & Kawaler (1990) implying a
primordial value for Li of A(Li) = 2.238 +/- 0.012 {1 sigma} +/- 0.05{sys}. The
present results argue against any kind of depletion predicted by diffusion,
rotational mixing or stellar winds. Therefore the Li observed in Pop II stars
provides a direct and reliable estimate of the baryonic density that can rival
other baryonic indicators such as the deuterium in high redshift systems. The
present upwards revision of primordial Li in the framework of SBBN gives at 1
sigma two solutions for the baryonic density: Omega_{B}h^2 = 0.0062
{+0.0018,-0.0011} or Omega_{B}h^2 = 0.0146 {+0.0029,-0.0033} .Comment: Tex, uses MN.tex, 18 .ps figures; accepted MNRA
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