Robust limit on a varying proton-to-electron mass ratio from a single H₂ system

¹ Hamburger Sternwarte, Universität Hamburg, Gojenbergsweg 112, 21029 Hamburg, Germany
e-mail: mwendt@hs.uni-hamburg.de
² Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, via G. B. Tiepolo 11, 34131 Trieste, Italy

Received: 21 April 2010
Accepted: 29 November 2010

Abstract

Context. The variation of the dimensionless fundamental physical constant μ = m_p/m_e can be checked through observation of Lyman and Werner lines of molecular hydrogen in the spectra of distant QSOs. Only few, at present four, systems have been used for the purpose providing different results between the different authors.

Aims. Our intention is to asses the accuracy of the investigation concerning a possible variation of the fundamental physical constant μ = m_p/m_e and to provide more robust results. The goal in mind is to resolve the current controversy on variation of μ and devise explanations for the different findings.

Methods. The demand for precision requires a deep understanding of the errors involved. Self-consistency in data analysis and effective techniques to handle unknown systematic errors are essential. An analysis based on independent data sets of QSO 0347-383 is put forward and new approaches for some of the steps involved in the data analysis are introduced. In this work we analyse two independent sets of observations of the same absorption system and for the first time we apply corrections for the observed offsets between discrete spectra mainly caused by slit illumination effects.

Results. Drawing on two independent observations of a single absorption system in QSO 0347-383 our detailed analysis yields Δμ/μ = (15 ± (9_stat + 6_sys)) × 10^-6 at z_abs = 3.025. Based on the scatter of the measured redshifts and the corresponding low significance of the redshift-sensitivity correlation we estimate the limit of accuracy of Δμ measurements to  ~300 m s^-1, consisting of roughly 180 m s^-1 due to the uncertainty of the absorption line fit and about 120 m s^-1 allocated to systematics.

Conclusions. Current analyses tend to underestimate the impact of systematic errors. This work presents alternative approaches to handle systematics and introduces methods required for precision analysis of QSO spectra available in the near future.