Dependence of the triple-alpha process on the fundamental constants of nature

Understand

We present an ab initio calculation of the quark mass dependence of the ground state energies of ^4He, ^8Be and ^{12}C, and of the energy of the Hoyle state in ^{12}C.

• These investigations are performed within the framework of lattice chiral Effective Field Theory.
• We address the sensitivity of the production rate of carbon and oxygen in red giant stars to the fundamental constants of nature by considering the impact of variations in the light quark masses and the electromagnetic fine-structure constant on the reaction rate of the triple-alpha process.
• As carbon and oxygen are essential to life as we know it, we also discuss the implications of our findings for an anthropic view of the Universe.