Limits on the Time Variation of the Fermi Constant G_F Based on Type Ia Supernova Observations

Abstract

The light curve of a type Ia supernova decays at a rate set by the beta-decay lifetimes of the Ni-56 and Co-56 produced in the explosion. This makes such a light curve sensitive to the value of the Fermi constant G_F at the time of the supernova. Using data from the CfA Supernova Archive, we measure the dependence of the light curve decay rate on redshift and place a bound on the time variation of G_F of |(dG_F/dt)/G_F| < 10^(-9) / y.

arXiv comment15 pages, 3 figures

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• The minimally extended Varying Speed of Light (meVSL)
• Constraining spacetime variations of nuclear decay rates from light curves of type Ia supernovae
• Solution to the $\beta$-functions in Lorentz-violating theories as a decomposition into irreducible representations