Relativistic frequency shifts in Cr, Ti, Fe, Ni, Ca, Na, and V to search for variation in the fine structure constant

TL;DR

This paper calculates how atomic transition frequencies in specific elements respond to changes in the fine structure constant, aiding astrophysical searches for its variation across the galaxy.

Contribution

It provides detailed sensitivity calculations for 22 atomic transitions, enabling more precise astrophysical tests for variations in the fine structure constant.

Findings

Sensitivity coefficients for 22 atomic transitions are computed.

Results support using stellar spectra to detect variations in $eta$.

Method enhances the accuracy of fundamental constant variation searches.

Abstract

Sensitivity of the frequencies of twenty two atomic transitions to the variation of the fine structure constant $\alpha$ is calculated. The findings are to be used in search for possible variation of $\alpha$ across our Galaxy using high quality spectroscopic data for stars similar to our Sun.