NSF-BSF: High-Precision Atomic Methodologies and New Physics Searches

这个项目解决了原子学、粒子物理学和宇宙学交叉点上的一组开放的基本问题。PI计划建立一个项目来搜索新的轻粒子和新的力量。这项研究将提供必要的理论结果，以充分利用桌面精密原子物理实验的快速进步，这些实验将成为探索新物理的新前沿。任何这样的新物理发现都将彻底改变粒子物理学领域，如果新粒子是暗物质，那么也可能改变我们对宇宙的理解。该项目的目标是带头进行新一代原子精密测量，旨在探索基本粒子和相互作用标准模型之外的物理，特别是对新的物理效应和暗物质具有高度敏感性的新型原子钟。具体地说，PI将(1)开发新一代具有精确原子测量的新物理搜索所需的原子理论；(2)开发解释实验结果的理论工具，这是通过超精确测量能够充分利用新物理搜索的创新概念所急需的；以及(3)研究可以用原子钟探测的特定暗物质场景。原子理论在这个项目中的发展集中在处理两类非常不同的问题的方法上：(1)精度方法根本不起作用，理论不能提供可靠估计的情况(2)需要特殊的低于百分比精度的情况，甚至最准确的现有方法也是不够的。对于第一个问题，该团队将建立在最近开发的快速并行配置交互(CI)代码的基础上，并开发算法来高效选择需要包括的配置函数，以便在10%的水平上进行可靠的预测。对于第二个问题，该团队将扩大将电子关联纳入结合CI和耦合集群方法的混合方法中。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project addresses a set of open fundamental problems at the intersection of atomic, particle physics, and cosmology. The PI plans to set up a program to search for new light particles and forces. The research will provide theoretical results that are necessary to take full advantage of the rapid progress in tabletop precision atomic physics experiments that can then act as a new frontier in searches for new physics. Any such discovery of new physics will revolutionize the field of particle physics and, if the new particle is the dark matter, potentially also our understanding of the Universe. The goals of this project are to spearhead a new generation of atomic precision measurements aimed at searches for physics beyond the standard model of elementary particles and interactions, with a particular focus on novel atomic clocks with high sensitivity to new physics effects and dark matter. Specifically, the PI will (1) develop atomic theory needed for new generation of new physics searches with precision atomic measurements; (2) develop theoretical tools for the interpretation of experimental results, dearly needed to be able to take full advantage of the innovative concepts for new physics searches via ultra-accurate measurements; and (3) investigate specific dark matter scenarios that can be probed with atomic clocks. Atomic theory development in this project focuses on methods to treat two types of very different problems: (1) cases where none of the precision methods work at all, and theory cannot provide reliable estimates (2) cases where exceptional sub-percent precision is required, and even most accurate present methods are inadequate. For the first problem, the team will build upon the fast parallel configuration interaction (CI) code that was recently developed and develop algorithms for efficient selection of the configuration functions that need to be included for reliable predictions at the 10% level. For the second problem, the team will expand the inclusion of the electronic correlations in the hybrid method that combines CI and coupled-cluster approaches.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.