Probing secular changes in the gravitational constant with white dwarf spectra

Abstract

AbstractExploring variations in fundamental physics constants across cosmological space-time is of substantial importance in both theoretical and experimental physics. A crucial means of investigating such variations involves comparing laboratory measurements with astrophysical observations. In the present study, we employ a combination of laboratory data and observed Lyman transitions of $$H_2$$ H 2 identified in the white dwarf star GD133. Through this examination, we find the temporal variation of the gravitational constant, $${{\dot{G}}}/{G} = (0.016 \pm 0.098) \times 10^{-15}~\text {year}^{-1}$$ G ˙ / G = ( 0.016 ± 0.098 ) × 10 - 15 year - 1 with a gravitational potential $$\phi \approx 10^4,$$ ϕ ≈ 10 4 , and an average total redshift of $$H_2,$$ H 2 , $$z_{abs} =0.0001820(10).$$ z abs = 0.0001820 ( 10 ) . This newly determined constraint on the time variation of G serves as an important tool for advancing discussions within unified theories.