Ultra-accurate studies of time, quantum phenomena, and atomic physics using an isolated, laser cooled single ion system

拟议的研究计划使用一个独特的国家实验设施，在当前物理测量的极限下进行基本物理现象，原子结构，量子现象的测量，并形成下一代实现原子时间和频率的潜在基础。研究的焦点集中在使用单个的、被捕获的和隔离的原子离子，该原子离子使用激光辐射在其运动中减慢，并使用具有Hz级线宽的激光源在445 THz的操作频率下探测。该系统构成了光学原子钟的核心，它有可能超越目前使用Cs原子钟跃迁的SI秒的最佳实现。提出了研究地球重力场对时间的影响的实验，并通过时钟系统的米级位移来感测这些变化。该实验还将用于敏感的测量，以确定自然界中的一些基本常数是否具有真正的固定值或随时间变化。

The proposed research program uses a unique national experimental facility where measurements of fundamental physical phenomena, atomic structure, quantum phenomena are perfomed at the limits of current physical measurement and form the potential basis for the next generation realization of atomic based time and frequency. The focus for the studies are centered on the use of a single, trapped and isolated atomic ion which is slowed down in its motion using laser radiation and probed using an laser source having Hz level linewidths at operating frequencies of 445 THz. The system forms the heart of an optical atomic clock which has the potential to outperform the best current realizations of the SI second using the Cs atomic clock transition. Experiments are proposed which investigate the distortion of time by earth's gravity field and can sense these changes by metre level displacements of the clock system. The experiment will also be used in sensitive measurements to see if some of the fundamental constants in nature have truly fixed values or vary with time.