Environmental Dependence of Masses and Coupling Constants

Abstract

We construct a class of scalar field models coupled to matter that lead to the dependence of masses and coupling constants on the ambient matter density. Such models predict a deviation of couplings measured on the Earth from values determined in low-density astrophysical environments, but do not necessarily require the evolution of coupling constants with the redshift in the recent cosmological past. Additional laboratory and astrophysical tests of \Delta \alpha and \Delta(m_p/m_e) as functions of the ambient matter density are warranted.