The Search for Variation of Fundamental Constants with Clocks

Safronova, M. S.

doi:10.1002/andp.201800364

Cited by 44 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…Note that none of the atomic systems considered here have particularly high sensitivities (large q values), so no non-linear effects are expected, and indeed none are observed. Much larger sensitivities can be found, e.g., in highly charged ions with large nuclear charges [56,57]. In general, δx must be taken small enough so that the linear requirement of (A3) is valid, but must also be large enough for the variation δω to avoid numerical errors.…”

Section: Lowermentioning

confidence: 99%

Search for a Variation of the Fine Structure Constant around the Supermassive Black Hole in Our Galactic Center

Hees

Roberts

et al. 2020

Phys. Rev. Lett.

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Searching for space-time variations of the constants of Nature is a promising way to search for new physics beyond General Relativity and the standard model motivated by unification theories and models of dark matter and dark energy. We propose a new way to search for a variation of the fine-structure constant using measurements of late-type evolved giant stars from the S-star cluster orbiting the supermassive black hole in our Galactic Center. A measurement of the difference between distinct absorption lines (with different sensitivity to the fine structure constant) from a star leads to a direct estimate of a variation of the fine structure constant between the star's location and Earth. Using spectroscopic measurements of 5 stars, we obtain a constraint on the relative variation of the fine structure constant below 10 −5 . This is the first time a varying constant of Nature is searched for around a black hole and in a high gravitational potential. This analysis shows new ways the monitoring of stars in the Galactic Center can be used to probe fundamental physics.

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Section: Lowermentioning

confidence: 99%

Search for a Variation of the Fine Structure Constant around the Supermassive Black Hole in Our Galactic Center

Hees

Roberts

et al. 2020

Phys. Rev. Lett.

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“…A particularly high sensitivity of a nuclear clock for potential time variations of fundamental constants, e.g., the finestructure constant, was highlighted [90,258,286]. Such temporal variations are predicted by some theories beyond the standard model [390] and have already been investigated for atomic clock transitions [105,298,306].…”

Section: Search For Temporal Variations Of Fundamental Constantsmentioning

confidence: 98%

The $$^{229}$$Th isomer: prospects for a nuclear optical clock

Wense

2020

Eur. Phys. J. A

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The proposal for the development of a nuclear optical clock has triggered a multitude of experimental and theoretical studies. In particular the prediction of an unprecedented systematic frequency uncertainty of about $$10^{-19}$$ 10 - 19 has rendered a nuclear clock an interesting tool for many applications, potentially even for a re-definition of the second. The focus of the corresponding research is a nuclear transition of the $$^{229}$$ 229 Th nucleus, which possesses a uniquely low nuclear excitation energy of only $$8.12\pm 0.11$$ 8.12 ± 0.11 eV ($$152.7\pm 2.1$$ 152.7 ± 2.1 nm). This energy is sufficiently low to allow for nuclear laser spectroscopy, an inherent requirement for a nuclear clock. Recently, some significant progress toward the development of a nuclear frequency standard has been made and by today there is no doubt that a nuclear clock will become reality, most likely not even in the too far future. Here we present a comprehensive review of the current status of nuclear clock development with the objective of providing a rather complete list of literature related to the topic, which could serve as a reference for future investigations.

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“…SAGE can extend this possibility, by providing this information in particular to other spacecrafts. The comparison of optical clocks on ground at the 10 −18 to 10 −19 level will serve to establish a new definition of the second, to test the constancy of fundamental constants [95], and to enable relativistic geodesy at the 0.1 cm level.…”

Section: Defining An Ultraprecise Frame Of Reference For Earth and Spmentioning

confidence: 99%