E. -A. Kolonia, C. J. A. P. Martins, K. N. Gourgouliatos
Abstract
It is well known that alternative theories to the Standard Model allow-and sometimes require- fundamental constants, such as the fine-structure constant, alpha, to vary in spacetime. We demonstrate that one way to investigate these variations is through the mass-radius relation of compact astrophysical objects, which is inherently affected by alpha variations. We start by considering the model of a polytropic white dwarf, which we perturb by adding the alpha variations for a generic class of Grand Unified Theories. We then extend our analysis to neutron stars, building upon the polytropic approach to consider more realistic equations of state, discussing the impact of such variations on mass-radius measurements in neutron stars. We present some constraints on these models based on current data and also outline how future observations might distinguish between extensions of the Standard Model.
Keywords
Astrophysics and astroparticle physics / High Energy Physics - Phenomenology / Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena / General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Physical Review D
Volume 111, Issue 083017, Page 10
2025 April
