Ultra-low noise magnetic environments

该提案的目的是开发一种环境，将电场和磁场控制在下一代量子传感器所需的水平。这些传感器正在开发用于商业应用和测试物理学基础理论的精密测量。为了达到最高的灵敏度，它们必须在极低的噪声环境中工作。因此，我们的项目旨在消除目前阻碍量子技术进步和我们测试新理论的能力的障碍。我们的目标是设计、开发和表征一种磁屏蔽真空室，其中背景磁场和磁噪声被降低到极低的值。我们的目标是在这个单元内产生大的电场，而不影响磁噪声。这就要求仔细选择材料和施工方法，并在灵敏度的极限下测量电流。最后，我们的目标是在细胞内集成磁场探头，用于现场实时磁场测量和控制。输出将是一个仪器，能够感知微小的领域和力量超出了目前的最先进的。这种设备在基础科学中的一个应用是测量电子的圆度，这是通过其电偶极矩（eEDM）测量。非零的eEDM表明违反了时间反演对称性，这对于理解为什么宇宙中物质胜过反物质至关重要。为了显著提高测量精度，我们开发了变革性的技术来产生被捕获的超冷分子。我们已经完成了对这种方法的设计研究，其中所有步骤都进行了模拟，并使用测试平台分子演示了大多数关键步骤。该设备提供精确控制的磁场和电场，将是我们新方法的关键最后一部分，促进未来实验以前所未有的精度确定电子圆度，比以前好几百倍。这种测量有可能发现粒子对撞机无法触及的新粒子，并揭示宇宙中物质-反物质的不对称性。除了EDM实验，该设备还将有利于使用量子技术进行基础物理学的其他测试。它将加强原子干涉仪的实验，以探测引力波和超轻暗物质，并有助于原子钟测量不同的基本常数。集体努力的目的是解开宇宙的奥秘，并对其基本性质有更深入的了解。

The aim of this proposal is to develop an environment where electric and magnetic fields are controlled at the level needed for the next generation of quantum sensors. These sensors are being developed both for commercial applications and for precision measurements that test fundamental theories of physics. To reach their ultimate sensitivity, they must operate in extremely low noise environments. Thus, our project is designed to remove a barrier that is now inhibiting progress in quantum technology and our ability to test new theories.Our objective is to design, develop and characterize a magnetically-shielded vacuum cell where the background magnetic field and magnetic noise are reduced to extremely low values. We aim to generate large electric fields inside this cell, without compromising the magnetic noise. This calls for careful choices of materials and construction methods and measurements of electric currents at the extreme limits of sensitivity. Finally, we aim to integrate magnetic field probes within the cell for in situ, real-time field measurement and control. The output will be an instrument capable of sensing tiny fields and forces beyond the current state of the art.One application of such an apparatus in fundamental science is to measure the roundness of the electron, which is measured through its electric dipole moment (eEDM). A non-zero eEDM indicates a violation of time-reversal symmetry, which is crucial in understanding why matter prevails over antimatter in the Universe. To dramatically improve the measurement precision, we have developed transformative techniques to produce trapped ultracold molecules. We have completed a design study of this approach where all the steps are simulated, and have demonstrated most of the key steps with a testbed molecule. The apparatus, which provides precisely controlled magnetic and electric fields, will be the crucial final piece of our new approach, facilitating future experiments to determine electron roundness with unprecedented precision, several hundred times better than before. Such measurements have the potential to discover new particles beyond the reach of particle colliders and shed light on the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe.Beyond EDM experiments, the apparatus will benefit other tests of fundamental physics using quantum technologies. It will enhance experiments with atom interferometers to probe gravitational waves and ultra-light dark matter, and contribute to atomic clocks to measure varying fundamental constants. The collective efforts aim to unravel the mysteries of the Universe and gain deeper insights into its fundamental nature.