Comptes Rendus
Article de synthèse
Astrophysical invariance of the fine-structure constant: observation and theory
[Invariance astrophysique de la constante de structure fine : observation et théorie]
Comptes Rendus. Physique, Volume 27 (2026), pp. 91-99

A theoretical result based on nonlinear quantum electrodynamics could suggest the invariance of the fine-structure constant everywhere in the Universe and at any epochs of its history. The present paper updates while summarizing this theoretical framework, and provides a critical survey of recent astrophysical observations related to this constant’s value. We conclude that, from an observational point of view, this constant could indeed be invariant over cosmic space and epochs, in line with the theoretical study.

Un résultat théorique basé sur l’électrodynamique quantique non linéaire pourrait suggérer l’invariance de la constante de structure fine partout dans l’Univers et à toutes les époques de son histoire. Le présent article résume ce cadre théorique et fournit une étude critique des observations astrophysiques récentes liées à la valeur de cette constante. Nous concluons que, d’un point de vue observationnel, cette constante pourrait en effet être invariante dans l’espace cosmique et à toutes les époques, conformément à l’étude théorique.

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DOI : 10.5802/crphys.275
Keywords: Fine structure constant, quantum electrodynamics, astrophysics
Mots-clés : Constante de structure fine, électrodynamique quantique, astrophysique

Patrick de Laverny  1   ; Gilbert Reinisch  1

1 Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Lab. Lagrange, Nice, France
Licence : CC-BY 4.0
Droits d'auteur : Les auteurs conservent leurs droits
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     title = {Astrophysical invariance of the fine-structure constant: observation and theory},
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Patrick de Laverny; Gilbert Reinisch. Astrophysical invariance of the fine-structure constant: observation and theory. Comptes Rendus. Physique, Volume 27 (2026), pp. 91-99. doi: 10.5802/crphys.275

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