Proposed search forT-odd,P-even interactions in spectra of chaotic atoms

Abstract

Violation of fundamental symmetries in atoms is the subject of intense experimental and theoretical interest. P-odd, T-even transitions have been observed and are in excellent agreement with electroweak theory. Searches for permanent electric dipole moments have placed bounds on T-odd, P-odd interactions, constraining proposed extensions to the standard model of elementary particles. Here we propose a search for T-odd, P-even (TOPE) interactions in atoms. We consider open-shell atoms, such as rare-earth-metal atoms, which have dense, chaotic excitation spectra with strong level repulsion. The strength of the level repulsion depends on the underlying symmetries of the atomic Hamiltonian. TOPE interactions lead to enhanced level repulsion. We demonstrate how a statistical analysis of many chaotic spectra can determine the strength of level repulsion; in particular, the variance of the number of levels in an energy range has been shown to be a useful measure. We estimate that, using frequency comb spectroscopy, a sufficient number of chaotic levels could be measured to match or exceed the current experimental bounds on TOPE interactions.

High magnetic fields for fundamental physics

“…Chaotic systems are particularly sensitive to small perturbations and can be used to study fundamental interactions and search for new physics beyond the standard model. For example, statistics of complex spectra may be used to constrain exotic T-odd, P-even interactions that indicate physics beyond the standard model [125]. A long-term goal is to continue the spectroscopy program at a high-magnetic-field facility, where magnetic fields up to 100 T or higher may be achieved.…”

Random k-Body Ensembles for Chaos and Thermalization in Isolated Systems

“…Exploiting this, a theory for calculating statistical quantities for atoms was developed by Flambaum et al with some applications [ 59 ]. It is also possible to use this approach to derive bounds on T -odd, P -even interactions in rare-earth atoms that are chaotic [ 60 ].…”