Study finds that the fine structure constant of quantum spin ice is large

Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the fundamental quantum theory governing the behavior of charged particles and light in vacuum. The strength of the interactions in QED is quantified by the fine structure constant α, which in our universe is both immutable and eternal (α ~ 1/137). The smallness of the fine structure constant has far-reaching consequences in the physical world—it determines the number of stable chemical elements, enables long-distance, light-based communication, etc.