Atomic calculations and search for variation of the fine structure constant in quasar absorption spectra

TL;DR

This paper reviews atomic calculations crucial for analyzing quasar absorption spectra to detect potential variations in the fine structure constant, highlighting methods, results, and recent findings.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of atomic calculation methods and their application in the search for variations of the fine structure constant in quasar spectra.

Findings

Atomic calculations are essential for interpreting spectral data.

A range of methods covers all elements in the periodic table.

Recent analysis results are critically compiled.

Abstract

A brief review of the search for variation of the fine structure constant in quasar absorption spectra is presented. Special consideration is given to the role of atomic calculations in the analysis of the observed data. A range of methods which allow to perform calculations for atoms or ions with different electron structure and which cover practically all periodic table of elements is discussed. Critical compilation of the results of the calculations as well as a review of the most recent results of the analysis are presented.