TIME-VARIATION OF FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS - BOUNDS FROM GEOPHYSICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL DATA

Consistent bounds for the simultaneous variations of fundamental constants in the standard model of fundamental interactions are obtained from astronomical, astrophysical, and geophysical data. These bounds exclude the Dirac large-number hypothesis and, in general, any theory demanding a large variation of the fundamental constants. They also impose severe constraints on Kaluza-Klein and superstring theories, and should be considered as strong tests of the equivalence principle. © 1990 The American Physical Society.