Development of Next-Generation Atomic Clocks and Their Application in Fundamental Physics

这项研究的重点是开发下一代超精密原子钟，并将其用于基础物理应用。预计它将推动现代守时技术的前沿。从历史上看，原子钟的精确度使现代物理学的基础测试成为可能，例如测试基本常量的假设变化，如电磁相互作用的强度，以及实际应用，如全球定位系统的建设。这项研究计划还将调查使用原子钟和原子干涉仪等精密设备来探测暗物质的性质。揭示暗物质的微观本质是现代物理学面临的重大挑战之一，暗物质是通过银河系规模的天体物理观测发现的。这一理论和计算方案将由首席研究员与一名正在攻读博士学位的研究助理合作进行，从而为研究生教育做出贡献。此外，这项研究将在内华达州进行，该州历史上在科学事业中的代表性不足。维里化的超轻标量场是冷暗物质候选者，如果被探测到，还可以解决基本粒子标准模型的层次问题。探测这种场需要使用低能量精密测量设备，如原子钟和主要由原子物理界开发的物质波干涉仪。这项工作的目标是分析精密测量工具对维里化超轻标量场的敏感性，并识别暗物质特征，特别是原子钟和物质波干涉计量学。另一个目标是通过探索高电荷态离子的原子性质，达到原子计时的下一个精确度。正如首席调查员先前指出的那样，合适的候选离子必须满足实验者设定的标准。这项研究将使用理论和计算物理的工具，包括相对论原子结构代码和来自原子物理、量子光学、量子场论和宇宙学的各种技术。

This research is focused on developing the next generation of ultra-precise atomic clocks, and using these clocks for fundamental physics applications. It is expected to advance the frontiers of modern time-keeping technology. Historically, the exquisite precision of atomic clocks has enabled both foundational tests of modern physics, e.g., testing hypothetical variations of fundamental constants, such as the strength of electromagnetic interactions, as well as practical applications, such as the construction of the Global Positioning System. This research program will also investigate the use of precision devices, such as atomic clocks and atom interferometers, to probe the nature of dark matter. Revealing the microscopic nature of dark matter, which has been discovered through astrophysical observations on a galactic scale, is one of the grand challenges of modern physics. This theoretical and computational program will be conducted by the Principal Investigator in collaboration with a Research Assistant working toward a doctoral degree, thereby contributing to graduate education. Additionally, the research will be carried out in Nevada, a state which is historically underrepresented in the scientific enterprise. Virialized ultralight scalar fields are cold dark matter candidates which, if detected, could also solve the hierarchy problem of the Standard Model of elementary particles. Detecting such fields requires using low-energy precision measurement devices such as atomic clocks and matter wave interferometers primarily developed by the atomic physics community. The goal of this work is to analyze the sensitivity of precision measurement tools to virialized ultralight scalar fields and to identify dark matter signatures, with a specific focus on atomic clocks and matter wave interferometry. Another goal is to reach the next level of accuracy in atomic time-keeping by exploring atomic properties of highly-charged ions. As previously shown by the Principal Investigator, suitable candidate ions must satisfy criteria set by experimentalists. This research will use tools of theoretical and computational physics, including relativistic atomic structure codes and various techniques from atomic physics, quantum optics, quantum field theory and cosmology.