Varying Constants: Constraints from Seasonal Variations

TL;DR

This paper examines how atomic clock data constrains possible seasonal variations in fundamental constants, emphasizing the importance of Earth's changing gravitational environment on these measurements.

Contribution

It introduces a method to incorporate seasonal gravitational effects into constraints on fundamental constant variations from atomic clock data.

Findings

Seasonal variations improve constraints on fundamental constants.

Gravitational effects at Earth's surface significantly influence atomic clock measurements.

Constraints on the fine structure constant and electron-proton mass ratio are strengthened.

Abstract

We analyse the constraints obtained from new atomic clock data on the possible time variation of the fine structure `constant' and the electron-proton mass ratio and show how they are strengthened when the seasonal variation of Sun's gravitational field at the Earth's surface is taken into account.