Theoretical Studies at the Interface of Atomic Physics and Precision Measurements

宇宙学观测表明，现代物理学只能解释宇宙微观组成的一小部分（约5%）。对剩下的95%的暗物质和暗能量的性质进行精确的描述，是现代物理学中最大的挑战之一。该项目旨在通过解释、设计和表征在实验室环境中进行的精密测量实验，找到解决这一突出问题的方法。这些实验虽然相对便宜，但具有诱人的发现潜力。在这一领域的任何发现都将深刻地帮助描绘一幅更完整的自然内部运作的图画。从历史上看，这种进步最终导致技术进步。该项目将培养一名年轻的理论/计算物理学家，为高科技劳动力的发展做出贡献。该项目将在内华达州进行，该州历史上在科学事业中代表性不足，因此有助于多样性。 新物理的信号可能是传统标准模型物理背景之上的一个小扰动;因此，对实验测量的解释需要来自表征这种背景的理论计算的输入。该项目的一个主要部分涉及原子性质的高精度计算，以改进对原子镜像对称性破坏的解释。结合之前的实验结果，计算结果要么揭示新的物理学，要么对暗区施加强有力的约束。 该项目的另一部分将评估原子计时所能达到的精度的基础物理限制，并改进对使用精密仪器搜索超轻暗物质的解释。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Cosmological observations indicate that modern physics can explain only a small fraction (about 5%) of the microscopic composition of the Universe. Exacting the nature of the remaining 95%, dark matter and dark energy, is one of the grandest challenges in modern physics. This project aims at finding inroads to solving this outstanding problem through interpretation, design, and characterization of precision measurement experiments carried out in laboratory settings. Such experiments, while being relatively inexpensive, have a tantalizing discovery potential. Any discovery in this area would profoundly help in painting a more complete picture of Nature's inner workings. Historically, such advances eventually lead to technological advances. The project will train a young theoretical/computational physicist, contributing to the high-technology workforce development. The project will be carried out in Nevada, a state historically underrepresented in the scientific enterprise, thus contributing to diversity. A signal of new physics may come as a small perturbation on top of a conventional Standard Model physics background; thereby an interpretation of experimental measurements requires input from theoretical calculations characterizing such backgrounds. A major part of this project deals with high-precision calculations of atomic properties required for improved interpretation of the violation of mirror symmetry in atoms. Together with previous experimental results, the calculations will either reveal new physics or place powerful constraints on the dark sector. Another part of the project will estimate fundamental physics limitations on the accuracies attainable with atomic timekeeping and also improve the interpretation of searches for ultralight dark matter with precision instruments.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.