WMAP 5-year constraints on time variation of $\alpha$ and $m_e$

SCOCCOLA, CLAUDIA G.; LANDAU, SUSANA J.; VUCETICH, HECTOR

Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Congreso; IAU 2009 General Assembly Joint Discussion 9; 2009

International Astronomical Union

We studied the role of fundamental constants in an updated  recombination scenario, focusing on the time variation of the fine  structure constant $alpha$ and the electron mass $m_e$ in the early  Universe. Using CMB data including WMAP 5-yr release, and the 2dFGRS  power spectrum, we put bounds on variations of these constants, when  both constants are allowed to vary, and in the case that only one of  them is variable. In particular, we have found that $-0.019 < Delta  alpha / alpha_0 < 0.017$ (95% c.l.), in our joint estimation of  $alpha$ and cosmological parameters.  Finally, we analyze how the  constraints depends on the recombination scenario.