Search for New Physics with Atoms and Molecules

Abstract

This article reviews recent developments in tests of fundamental physics using atoms and molecules, including the subjects of parity violation, searches for permanent electric dipole moments, tests of the CP T theorem and Lorentz symmetry, searches for spatiotemporal variation of fundamental constants, tests of quantum electrodynamics, tests of general relativity and the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, dark energy and extra forces, and tests of the spin-statistics theorem. Key results are presented in the context of potential new physics and in the broader context of similar investigations in other fields. Ongoing and future experiments of the next decade are discussed.

Detecting dark-matter waves with a network of precision-measurement tools

“…3. In this case, the minor oscillating behavior is entirely due to the phase Ψ (τ = 0, d) in the two-point correlation function (3).…”

“…Such fields behave as classical entities coherent on a scale of individual devices and can be searched for with low-energy precision measurements tools. Precision measurements, with their exquisite precision, have been historically important [3] in powerfully constraining new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM) and can be repurposed for dark matter searches.…”

Dynamics of translational and rotational thermalization of AlF molecules via collisions with cryogenic helium

“…The ability to cool gaseous ensembles of molecules to cold (1 mK to 10 K) and ultracold ( < ∼ 1 mK) temperatures has been impacting research areas as diverse as testing the standard model of particle physics [1], quantum-logic spectroscopy [2][3][4], action-spectroscopy [5][6][7], chemical reaction dynamics [8][9][10][11][12][13][14], as well as quantum computing [15][16][17] and quantum simulation [18,19]. In particular, ultracold polar molecules afford tunability of interactions, coveted for applications in quantum information protocols [20,21] and the simulation of many-body Hamiltonians [22,23].…”

“…1 Σ + -He collision systems, as summarized in TableII. The more efficient relaxation of AlF in He can be rationalized by invoking the adiabaticity parameter, ξ = τ coll /τ rot ∝ B 0 / √ µ, where τ coll and τ rot are, respectively, the collision time and rotational period of the molecule, see also TableI.…”

Searching for a solar relaxion or scalar particle with XENON1T and LUX

“…[2,3,[5][6][7] and references therein). If the scalar particle constitutes dark matter (DM) in the present universe, and if its mass is sub-eV scale, a coherent oscillation of scalar DM induces an oscillation in fundamental constants, and thus, precision atomic sensors can be used as an alternative probe [8][9][10][11][12][13][14].…”