Precision measurements in atoms for astrophysics, photonics, and fundamental physics

我们的研究领域影响原子物理、天体物理、核物理和加拿大电信行业：(1)天体物理学所需的原子特性测量。了解恒星和超新星中元素形成的历史，以及间接研究恒星内部看不见的正在进行的过程，需要很难获得关于原子特性的信息，天文学家将这些信息用作“远程探测器”。我们开发了一个世界领先的设备，使用激光和原子加速器来测量这些特性。(2)对基本原子的研究，作为对基本理论的检验。将量子力学和相对论结合起来，对氢原子的性质做出了令人难以置信的精确预测；然而，将这些计算扩展到像氦和锂这样简单的原子上，仍然给理论学家带来了重大挑战。我们的测量将测试这些理论，并指导新的计算方法的发展，这将导致更好的基本理解。(3)利用原子物理学测量核结构。对原子中电子能量的高分辨率激光研究揭示了原子核形状的细节。我们正在使用加拿大国家核物理设施TRIUMF生产用于研究的稀有放射性同位素束。(4)光纤通信工业实用设备的开发。要想在一根光纤中容纳更多的通信通道，就需要对激光波长进行极其精确的测量和控制。我们已经建立和测试了一个新的设备，并用它来建立新的校准标准。这将扩展到红外线，并变成便携式第二代仪器。

Our research is in areas which impact atomic physics, astrophysics, nuclear physics and the Canadian telecommunications industry: (1) MEASUREMENTS OF ATOMIC PROPERTIES NEEDED IN ASTROPHYSICS.  Understanding the past history of the creation of the elements in stars and supernovas, as well as indirectly studying the ongoing processes in the unseen interiors of stars, requires difficult-to-obtain information about the properties of atoms, which astronomers use as "remote probes."  We have developed a world-leading facility in which lasers and an atomic accelerator are used to measure these properties. (2) STUDIES OF FUNDAMENTAL ATOMS AS A TEST OF BASIC THEORY.  Combining Quantum Mechanics and the theory of Relativity led to incredibly precise predictions of the properties of the hydrogen atom; however, the extension of these calculations to even such simple atoms as helium and lithium continues to pose significant challenges for theorists.  Our measurements will test these theories and guide the development of new computational approaches that will lead to better fundamental understanding. (3) MEASUREMENTS OF NUCLEAR STRUCTURE USING ATOMIC PHYSICS. A high-resolution laser study of the energies of electrons in atoms reveals details of the shape of the nucleus.  We are using TRIUMF, Canada's national nuclear physics facility, to produce beams of rare radioactive isotopes for study. (4) DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL DEVICES FOR THE FIBEROPTIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY.  Packing more channels of communication into a single fiber requires extraordinarily precise measurement and control of the laser wavelength.  We have built and tested a new device and used it to establish new calibration standards.  This will be extended to the infrared, and turned into a portable second-generation instrument.