Experiments Using Long Coherence Times in Atoms

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This experimental research program focuses on the continuation of recent advances in a variety of experiments utilizing transitions between atomic states with long coherence times. These experiments use atoms to address the most fundamental issues in elementary particle physics, such as time-reversal symmetry and possible variation of fundamental constants. A major effort is to continue the search for a permanent atomic electric dipole moment (EDM), which can exist only if time-reversal symmetry is violated. A second major project, with optically cooled and trapped ytterbium atoms, builds on the group's recent demonstration of Sisyphus cooling in the odd isotopes of ytterbium to explore the extraordinarily sharp optical interval between the ground state and the metastable state. The long-range goal is to develop optical clocks of sufficient stability to measure time variations of fundamental quantities such as the fine structure constant alpha at the level of one part in 10 to the 18 per year. In terms of human resources, it is noteworthy that in the previous grant period, one postdoc, two of the graduate students and six of the undergraduate participants have been women, a strong argument for the diversity within the program.