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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Mots-clés : Constante de structure fine, électrodynamique quantique, astrophysique
Patrick de Laverny 1 ; Gilbert Reinisch 1
CC-BY 4.0
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
@article{CRPHYS_2026__27_G1_91_0,
author = {Patrick de Laverny and Gilbert Reinisch},
title = {Astrophysical invariance of the fine-structure constant: observation and theory},
journal = {Comptes Rendus. Physique},
pages = {91--99},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Acad\'emie des sciences, Paris},
volume = {27},
doi = {10.5802/crphys.275},
language = {en},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Patrick de Laverny AU - Gilbert Reinisch TI - Astrophysical invariance of the fine-structure constant: observation and theory JO - Comptes Rendus. Physique PY - 2026 SP - 91 EP - 99 VL - 27 PB - Académie des sciences, Paris DO - 10.5802/crphys.275 LA - en ID - CRPHYS_2026__27_G1_91_0 ER -
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