RUI: Precise Atomic Structure Measurements and Tests of Fundamental Physics

该项目包括一系列使用激光和原子的相对小规模的实验，这些实验将解决有关电弱相互作用以及其他可能的违反物理学的相互作用的基本问题。最近在几种元素中的原子宇称不守恒（PNC）实验已经达到了很高的精度。然而，在新的实验结果可以导致基本的见解之前，必须了解相关原子的复杂原子结构的影响。在铊中，目前正在进行的新的原子结构计算有可能使该元素成为测试电弱物理学的特别重要的系统。最近完成的过渡振幅，超精细分裂测量，以及斯塔克位移和斯塔克诱导振幅测量，现在正在我们的实验室提供了一些第一个高精度的原子结构测试在这个元素。 使用非常类似的技术的实验将在其他原子系统中进行，这些原子系统对电弱测试具有潜在的重要性，例如铅。这些实验利用二极管激光系统和铊样品在加热的蒸汽细胞以及原子束装置。 这些实验将成为物理专业本科生的理想研究训练，他们中的大多数人都在物理科学研究生院就读。

This project consists of a series of relatively small-scale experiments using lasers and atoms which will address fundamental questions about physics of the electroweak interaction as well as other possible symmetry-violating interactions. Recent atomic parity nonconservation (PNC) experiments in several elements have attained very high precision. However, before new experimental results can lead to fundamental insights, the effects of the complex atomic structure of the relevant atoms must be understood. In thallium, new atomic structure calculations presently underway have the potential to make this element a particularly important system for testing electroweak physics. Recently completed transition amplitude, and hyperfine splitting measurements, as well as Stark shift and Stark-induced amplitude measurements now underway in our laboratory provide some of the first high-precision atomic structure tests in this element. Experiments using very similar techniques will be undertaken in other atomic systems of potential importance to electroweak tests such as lead. These experiments make use of diode laser systems and thallium samples in heated vapor cells as well as an atomic beam apparatus. The experiments will serve as ideal research training for undergraduate physics majors, the large majority of whom attend graduate school in the physical sciences.