Verification of electron variable mass and charge from universe observations

Question

Recently I have skimmed a very interesting article "On the same origin of quantum physics and general relativity from Riemannian geometry and Planck scale formalism", which tries to unite general relativity with quantum mechanics by formaly quantizing Einstein Field equations.

Skipping many interesting author claims aside (one of most interesting is that they claim that relaxation of curvature produces mass,- this is how a supposed universe expansion creates new mass), anyway one of authors claim is that :

As the universe expands, the charge and mass of electrons decreases, resulting in less interaction in the aging universe. The electron charge and mass are no longer constant. They depended on the radius of the universe at the time.

And they give relation between universe radius $L_{now}$ and electron charge, mass :

$$ e^2 = \frac{m_e}{c} = \frac{1}{c \cdot L_{now}}\ldotp $$

Here comes the question,- Is it possible to somehow detect from the universe observations that in earlier universe stages electron coupling constants were stronger ? If so, what would be the possible detection scheme ? Or maybe it is already explored ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

There are many observational limits on variations in the electron-to-proton mass ratio ($\mu=m_e/m_p$) and the fine structure constant ($\alpha\propto e^2)$ over cosmological times and distances. (In general, only changes in dimensionless constants are meaningful.) Here is a sampling of few recent reviews:

• Varying fundamental constants meet Hubble (2023)
• Fundamental physical constants: current results in search for variations and their description (2022)
• Search for Variations of Fundamental Constants (2022)
• The status of varying constants: a review of the physics, searches and implications (2017)

The experimental limits come from looking at various electromagnetic emission, absorption, dispersion, and scattering spectra of objects at cosmological distances, e.g. quasars, white dwarfs, the cosmic microwave background, …. Changes in $\alpha$ or $\mu$ would effect processes such as:

• atomic and molecular transitions: $\Delta E \propto \alpha^2 m_e$
• plasma frequency: $\omega_p^2 \propto \alpha^2/m_e$
• scattering cross sections: $\sigma \propto \alpha^2/m_e^2$

Current astrophysical limits are roughly $\dot{\alpha}/\alpha\lesssim 10^{-17}\;\mathrm{year^{-1}}$ and $\dot{\mu}/\mu \lesssim 10^{-16}\;\mathrm{year^{-1}}$.

You may also want to look at What is the proof that the universal constants (, ℏ, …) are really constant in time and space?