C. J. A. P. Martins, A. M. M. Pinho, R. F. C. Alves, P. Carreira, M. C. Ferreira, A. Gusart, J. López, M. Pino, C. I. S. A. Rocha, M. von Wietersheim

Abstract
The observational evidence for the recent acceleration of the universe demonstrates that canonical theories of cosmology and particle physics are incomplete (and possibly incorrect) and that new physics is waiting to be discovered. The most fundamental task for the next generation of astrophysical facilities is to search for, identify and ultimately characterise this new physics. Here we provide a brief summary of the CAUP Dark Side team’s recent work, consolidating the science case for using astrophysical tests of the stability of fundamental couplings as direct probes of cosmology and fundamental physics. In particular we show that recent measurements already provide competitive constraints on dark energy an on Weak Equivalence Principle violations, and we discuss the road ahead for this field.

Proceedings of the 51st RENCONTRES DE MORIOND - Cosmology
Etienne Augé, Jacques Dumarchez, Jean Trân Thanh Vân

ARISF, Page 241
2016 March