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%）。要弄清剩下95%的暗物质和暗能量的本质，是现代物理学中最大的挑战之一。本项目旨在通过在实验室环境中进行的精密测量实验的解释、设计和表征，找到解决这一突出问题的途径。这样的实验，虽然相对便宜，但有诱人的发现潜力。这一领域的任何发现都将极大地帮助我们更完整地描绘大自然的内部运作。从历史上看，这种进步最终会导致技术进步。该项目将培养一名年轻的理论/计算物理学家，为高科技人才的发展做出贡献。该项目将在内华达州进行，该州在科学事业中历来代表性不足，因此有助于多样性。新物理学的信号可能是传统标准模型物理学背景之上的一个小扰动；因此，对实验测量的解释需要从描述这种背景的理论计算中得到输入。这个项目的一个主要部分是处理原子性质的高精度计算，这需要改进对原子中镜像对称性的破坏的解释。结合之前的实验结果，这些计算要么将揭示新的物理学，要么将对暗物质施加强大的限制。该项目的另一部分将评估原子计时所能达到的精度的基本物理限制，并改进用精密仪器搜索超轻暗物质的解释。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识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.