Fine structure constant variation or spacetime anisotropy?

Abstract

Recent observations on the quasar absorption spectra supply evidence for the variation of the fine structure constant $\alpha$. In this paper, we propose another interpretation of the observational data on the quasar absorption spectra: a scenario with spacetime inhomogeneity and anisotropy. Maybe the spacetime is characterized by the Finsler geometry instead of the Riemann one. The Finsler geometry admits fewer symmetries than the Riemann geometry does. We investigate the Finslerian geodesic equations in the Randers spacetime (a special Finsler spacetime). It is found that the cosmological redshift in this spacetime deviates from the one in general relativity. The modification term to the redshift could be generally revealed as a monopole plus dipole function of spacetime locations and directions. We suggest that this modification corresponds to the spatial monopole and dipole of $\alpha$ variation in the quasar absorption spectra.

13 pages. To publish in EPJC

References in corpus (13)

• Spectra and Light Curves of Six Type Ia Supernovae at 0.511 < z < 1.12 and the Union2 Compilation
• Indications of a spatial variation of the fine structure constant
• Very Special Relativity
• General Very Special Relativity is Finsler Geometry
• Testing LCDM with the Growth Function δ(a): Current Constraints
• The General Very Special Relativity in Finsler Cosmology
• Modified Newton's gravity in Finsler Space as a possible alternative to dark matter hypothesis
• Variation of fundamental constants: theory and observations
• Modified Friedmann model in Randers-Finsler space of approximate Berwald type as a possible alternative to dark energy hypothesis
• Catching a bullet: direct evidence for the existence of dark matter
• Astronomical and laboratory searches for space-time variation of fundamental constants
• Possible quantum gravity effects on the gravitational deflection of light
• On the Finslerian extension of the Schwarzschild metric

Cited by in corpus (14)

• Null Signal for the Cosmic Anisotropy in the Pantheon Supernovae Data
• Cosmological model with local symmetry of very special relativity and constraints on it from supernovae
• Inflation and primordial power spectra at anisotropic spacetime inspired by Planck's constraints on isotropy of CMB
• Searching for a cosmological preferred direction with 147 rotationally supported galaxies
• Cosmic Anisotropy and Fast Radio Bursts
• Finsler geometric perspective on the bulk flow in the universe
• Cosmological-scale coherent orientations of quasar optical polarization vectors in the $Planck$ era Investigating the Galactic dust contamination scenario
• Searching for a possible dipole anisotropy on acceleration scale with 147 rotationally supported galaxies
• Finslerian perturbation for the $\Lambda$CDM model
• Effects of spacetime anisotropy on the galaxy rotation curves
• OPERA superluminal neutrinos and Kinematics in Finsler spacetime
• Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi Static Universe in Rastall-like Gravity
• Anisotropic power spectrum and the observed low-l power in PLANCK CMB data
• Neutrino superluminality without Cherenkov-like processes in Finslerian special relativity