Theory of Atomic Structure and Processes

该提案的统一主题是通过高精度理论和原子实验的结合应用来开发新的测量工具。 In brief, the theoretical side rests on a foundation of our essentially exact nonrelativistic***wave functions for atoms such as helium and lithium, combined with the state-of-the-art for relativistic and quantum electrodynamic***effects. A comparison with experiment then provides a window into new physical phenomena.过去资助期间的一个主要例子***是利用原子跃迁频率的同位素位移来推断奇异“晕”原子核（例如氦6***和氦8）的大小和形状。这项原子与核物理接口的工作是与世界顶级实验组***在阿贡（美国）、GSI（德国）和TRIUMF（加拿大）等高能粒子加速器上合作完成的。基于加速器的***项目在获得批准之前要经过严格的可行性和重要性标准。***未来的工作将建立在我们过去的经验基础上，并将其扩展到多个方向。首先，我们开发的同位素位移方法现在被公认为是测量晕核尺寸的最准确方法，并且在许多情况下是唯一可用的方法。 These exotic structures have extra planetary neutrons surrounding a tightly bound core of neutrons and protons.这些结果的重要意义在于，它们使人们能够区分为将原子核保持在一起的有效力所提出的各种理论模型。通过研究容易分解的结构，我们了解了将它们结合在一起的力。***我们之前对氦、锂和铍晕核的研究接下来将与德国 GSI 的实验小组合作扩展到硼。同位素周期表中正在出现令人着迷的趋势。***其次，我们正在开辟一个新的研究领域，用于寻找超出基本***粒子物理标准模型的新物理。当晕核通过弱相互作用衰变时，它会发射出β粒子（高能电子）和中微子。标准模型预测两个出射粒子之间的角度，任何偏离它的角度都将标志着标准模型之外的新物理现象。我们目前正在计算原子电子造成的反冲贡献，在解释测量结果时必须考虑到这一点。 Our preliminary results indicate that there is a serious disagreement with a landmark 1963 experiment. 迫切需要新的实验工作和进一步的计算，将β衰变过程后“摆脱”的原子电子考虑在内。这项工作是与华盛顿大学的一个实验小组正在进行的合作。***其他拟议的工作重点是原子理论和量子电动力学的基础测试。**

The unifying theme of this proposal is the development of new measurement tools through the combined application of both high***precision theory and experiment to atoms. In brief, the theoretical side rests on a foundation of our essentially exact nonrelativistic***wave functions for atoms such as helium and lithium, combined with the state-of-the-art for relativistic and quantum electrodynamic***effects. A comparison with experiment then provides a window into new physical phenomena. A prime example from the past grant period***is the use of the isotope shift in atomic transition frequencies to deduce the size and shape of exotic "halo" nuclei such as helium-6***and helium-8. This work at the interface between atomic and nuclear physics is done in collaboration with the top experimental groups***in the world at high energy particle accelerators such as Argonne (U.S.), GSI (Germany) and TRIUMF (Canada). The accelerator-based***projects are subjected to rigorous standards of feasibility and significance before being approved.***Future work will build on our past experience and extend it in several directions. First, the isotope shift method developed by***us is now well recognized as the most accurate method, and in many cases the only method available, to measure the size of***halo nuclei. These exotic structures have extra planetary neutrons surrounding a tightly bound core of neutrons and protons. The***significance of the results is that they enable one to distinguish among the various theoretical models proposed for the effective***forces holding the nucleus together. By studying structures that fall apart easily, we learn about the forces holding them together.***Our previous work on the halo nuclei of helium, lithium and beryllium will next be extended to boron, in collaboration with experimental groups at GSI, Germany. Fascinating trends are emerging across the periodic table of isotopes.***Second, we are opening up a new area of study with applications to search for new physics beyond the standard model of elementary***particle physics. When a halo nucleus decays via the weak interaction, it emits both a beta-particle (high energy electron) and a neutrino. The standard model predicts the angle between the two outgoing particles, and any deviation from it would signal new physics beyond the standard model. We are currently calculating the recoil contribution due to the atomic electrons that must be taken into account in interpreting the measurements. Our preliminary results indicate that there is a serious disagreement with a landmark 1963 experiment. There is an urgent need for both new experimental work and further calculations that take into account the atomic electrons that are "shaken off" following the beta decay process. This work is an ongoing collaboration with an experimental group at the University of Washington.***Other proposed work focuses on fundamental tests of atomic theory and quantum electrodynamics.**