The fine-structure constant is ubiquitous throughout physics. I’ve already noted its connection to the electromagnetic interaction. In atomic physics, the binding energy, fine-structure splitting, and Lamb shift are all proportional to powers of α. In condensed matter physics, α characterizes Josephson junction oscillations and quantum Hall resistance steps. In addition, α is an important component of our system of fundamental constants. [Physics Today]

~ Gerald Gabrielse

Gerald Gabrielse Fine Structure Constant Fundamental Constants History Of Science Physics Science

… there are no arbitrary constants ... nature is so constituted that it is possible logically to lay down such strongly determined laws that within these laws only rationally determined constants occur (not constants, therefore, whose numerical value could be changed without destroying the theory).

~ Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein Constants Of Nature Fine Structure Constant Fundamental Constants Nature Physics Science

Fine Structure Constant: Fundamental numerical constant of atomic physics and quantum electrodynamics, defined as the square of the charge of the electron divided by the product of Planck's constant and the speed of light.

~ Steven Weinberg

Steven Weinberg Electron Fine Structure Constant Fundamental Constants History Of Science Physics Quantum Theory Universe

True, the Standard Model does explain a very great deal. Nevertheless it is not yet a proper theory, principally because it does not satisfy the physicists naive faith in elegance and simplicity. It involves some 17 allegedly fundamental particles and the same number of arbitrary and tunable parameters, such as the fine-structure constants, the muon-electron mass ratio and the various mysterious mixing angles.

~ Sheldon L. Glashow

Sheldon L. Glashow Fine Structure Constant Fundamental Constants History Of Science Physics Theory