Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: In previous analyses of the Oklo (Gabon) natural reactor to test for a possible time variation of the fine-structure constant $\ensuremath{\alpha},$ a Maxwell-Boltzmann low energy neutron spectrum was assumed. We present here an analysis where a more realistic spectrum is employed and show that the most recent isotopic analysis of samples implies a decrease in $\ensuremath{\alpha},$ over the last $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{9}$ years since the reactor was operating, of $({\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{\mathrm{past}}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{\mathrm{now}})/\ensuremath{\alpha}>~4.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ $(6\ensuremath{\sigma}$ confidence). Issues regarding the interpretation of the shifts of the low energy neutron absorption resonances are discussed.
Authors: S. K. Lamoreaux, J. R. Torgerson
Institution: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2011952099