Laboratory Search for a Long-RangeT-Odd,P-Odd Interaction from Axionlike Particles Using Dual-Species Nuclear Magnetic Resonance with PolarizedXe129<

Abstract

Various theories beyond the standard model predict new particles with masses in the sub-eV range with very weak couplings to ordinary matter. A new P-odd and T-odd interaction between polarized and unpolarized nucleons proportional to K·r is one such possibility, where r is the distance between the nucleons and K is the spin of the polarized nucleon. Such an interaction involving a scalar coupling gs at one vertex and a pseudoscalar coupling gp at the polarized nucleon vertex can be induced by the exchange of spin-0 bosons. We used the NMR cell test station at Northrop Grumman Corporation to search for NMR frequency shifts in polarized 129Xe and 131Xe when a nonmagnetic zirconia rod is moved near the NMR cell. Long (T2∼20 s) spin-relaxation times allow precision measurements of the NMR frequency ratios, which are insensitive to magnetic field fluctuations. Combined with existing theoretical calculations of the neutron spin contribution to the nuclear angular momentum in xenon nuclei, the measurements improve the laboratory upper bound on the product gsgp(n) by 2 orders of magnitude for distances near 1 mm. The sensitivity of this technique can be increased by at least two more orders of magnitude.

Nuclear Matrix Elements for Tests of Local Lorentz Invariance Violation

“…Such tests include searches for violation of local Lorentz and CPT symmetry [1], [2], [3], [4], and for new spin-dependent forces mediated by light particles, such as an axion [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10].…”

Robust solidXe129longitudinal relaxation times

“…(The recently developed "open source" polarizer is a notable exception [8].) A cold trap using liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) is typically used both to separate xenon from the other gases in the mixture that are needed to optimize spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) and to provide a compact storage vessel with a polarization lifetime T 1 ≈ 2.5 h. A detailed understanding of 129 Xe longitudinal relaxation in solid xenon is thus important for its use in a wide variety of fundamental studies and applications [9][10][11], including magnetic resonance imaging of the lung [12][13][14][15]. More generally, noble-gas solids are excellent model systems for first-principles calculation of nuclear relaxation mechanisms and rates.…”

Searches for possible T-odd and P-odd short range interactions using polarized nuclei

“…Our constraint on the coupling constant product g s g n p and the force range is plotted in Fig 1 (right). Our upper bound is a factor of 10-30 improvement compared to previous work corresponding to the mass range of 2 · 10 −3 to 2 · 10 −5 eV for the pseudoscalar boson and the force range of 10 −4 to 10 −2 m. More recent results from an Indiana University/Northup Grumman/University of Wisconsin collaboration which used a similar technique of analyzing NMR frequency shifts in a 129 Xe and 131 Xe co-magnetometer in the presence of zirconia to look for an S · r interaction over similar range [12] is also included in Fig 1 (right). By comparing the frequency shifts in these two species of Xe, one can distinguish between the frequency change due to a monopole-dipole interaction and the background magnetic field changes.…”

“…Another recent constraint from Ref [13] which looked for S · r interaction over similar range is also plotted in Fig 1 (right). [4], dash-dotted from [14], solid black from [1], solid red (below) from [12] and double dash from [13].…”