Abstract. A general model for the cosmological evolution of the fine structure constant α driven by a typical quintessence scenario is presented. We consider a coupling between the quintessence scalar and the electromagnetic kinetic term F_μνF^μν, given by a general function B_F(). We study the dependence of the cosmological Δα(t) upon the functional form of B_F() and discuss the constraints imposed by the data. We find that different cosmological histories for Δα(t) are possible within the available constraints. We also find that quasar absorption spectra evidence for a time variation of α, if confirmed, is not incompatible with Oklo and meteorite limits.

Key words: dark energy theory; cosmology of theories beyond the SM

E-print number: astro-ph/0501515
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Received 24 January 2005, accepted for publication 10 May 2005
Published 19 May 2005