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，并将这些原子钟用于基础物理应用。它有望推进现代计时技术的前沿。从历史上看，原子钟的精密使现代物理学的基础测试成为可能，例如，测试基本常数的假设变化，例如电磁相互作用的强度，以及实际应用，例如全球定位系统的构建。这个研究项目还将研究使用精密设备，如原子钟和原子干涉仪，来探测暗物质的本质。揭示暗物质的微观本质是现代物理学的重大挑战之一，暗物质是通过银河系尺度的天体物理学观测发现的。这个理论和计算程序将由首席研究员与一名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，这个州历来在科学事业中代表性不足。虚化的超轻标量场是冷暗物质的候选者，如果被探测到，也可以解决基本粒子标准模型的层次问题。探测这样的场需要使用低能量的精密测量设备，如原子钟和物质波干涉仪，主要是由原子物理学界开发的。这项工作的目标是分析精密测量工具对微型化超轻标量场的敏感性，并识别暗物质特征，特别关注原子钟和物质波干涉测量。另一个目标是通过探索高电荷离子的原子特性来达到原子计时精度的下一个水平。正如之前首席研究员所指出的，合适的候选离子必须满足实验者设定的标准。本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.