Fine Structure Constant Research Articles

Single-photon large-momentum-transfer atom interferometry scheme for Sr or Yb atoms with application to determining the fine-structure constant

The leading experimental determinations of the fine-structure constant α currently rely on atomic photon-recoil measurements from Ramsey-Bordé atom interferometry with large-momentum transfer to provide an absolute mass measurement. We propose an experimental scheme for an intermediate-scale differential atom interferometer to measure the photon recoil of neutral atomic species with a single-photon optical clock transition. We calculate trajectories for our scheme that optimize the recoil phase while nullifying the undesired gravity-gradient phase by considering independently launching two clouds of ultracold atoms with the appropriate initial conditions. For Sr and Yb, we find an atom interferometer of height 3 m to be sufficient for an absolute mass measurement precision of Δm/m∼1×10−11 with current technology. Such a precise measurement would halve the current uncertainty in α, an uncertainty that would no longer be limited by an absolute mass measurement. The removal of this limitation would allow the current uncertainty in α to be reduced by a factor of 10 by corresponding improvements in relative mass measurements, thus paving the way for higher-precision tests of the standard model of particle physics. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

JWST observations constrain the time evolution of fine structure constants and dark energy-electromagnetic coupling

Abstract It was hypothesized in the literature that some physical parameters may be time-evolving and the astrophysical data can serve as a probe. Recently, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have released its early observations. In this work, we select the JWST spectroscopic observations of the high redshift ($z>7.1$) galaxies with strong [\ion{O}{III}] ($\lambda=4959$\AA \,and $5007$\AA \,in the rest frame) emission lines to constraint the evolution of the fine structure constant ($\alpha$). With the spectra from two galaxies at redshifts of $7.19$ and $8.47$, the deviation of $\alpha$ to its fiducial value is found to be as small as $0.44^{+8.4+1.7}_{-8.3-1.7} \times 10^{-4}$ and $-10.0^{+18+1.5}_{-18-1.5} \times 10^{-4}$, respectively (the first error is statistical and the latter is systematic). The combination of our results with the previous data reveals that $\frac{1}{\alpha} \frac{d \alpha}{dt} = 0.30^{+4.5}_{-4.5} \times 10^{-17}~{\rm yr^{-1}}$. Clearly, there is no evidence for a cosmic evolution of $\alpha$. The prospect of further constraining the time evolution of $\alpha$ is also discussed. The scalar field of dark energy is hypothesized to drive the acceleration of the universe's expansion through an interaction with the electromagnetic field. By integrating the observational data of the fine-structure constant variation, $\frac{\Delta\alpha}{\alpha}(z)$, we have established a stringent upper limit on the coupling strength between dark energy and electromagnetism. Our analysis yields $\zeta \leq 3.92 \times 10^{-7}$ at the 95\% confidence level, representing the most stringent bound to date.

THE RESONANCE APPROACH FOR THE PROCESS OF THE PHOTO-TRIDENT IN THE FIELD OF A LINEARLY POLARIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

The process of the creation of an electron-positron pair at the scattering of a polarized high-energy photon (photo-trident) in the field of a monochromatic linearly polarized electromagnetic wave was investigated in the framework of the resonance approximation. This approximation allows to neglect the interference of amplitudes, i.e. resonance for each amplitude occurs in different kinematic regions. Despite these simplifications the expression for the probability for the investigated process, which has a second order in the fine structure constant, is sufficiently cumbersome. That is a consequence of the polarization properties of the intermediate state. And only for the case of linear polarization of the wave and an unpolarized initial photon, the probability of a photo-trident is factorized into the product of the probabilities of the first-order subprocesses into which the sequence of the studied process is divided.

Theoretical and observational implications of Planck’s constant as a running fine structure constant

This paper explores how a reinterpretation of the generalized uncertainty principle as an effective variation of Planck’s constant provides a physical explanation for a number of fundamental quantities and couplings. In this context, a running fine structure constant is naturally emergent and the cosmological constant problem is solved, yielding a novel connection between gravitation and quantum field theories. The model could potentially clarify the recent experimental observations by the DESI Collaboration that could imply a fading of dark energy over time. When applied to quantum systems and their characteristic length scales, a simple geometric relationship between energy and entropy is disclosed. Lastly, a mass–radius relation for both quantum and classical systems reveals a phase transition-like behavior similar to thermodynamical systems, which we speculate to be a consequence of topological defects in the universe.

Nonlinear electrodynamics for the vacuum of Dirac materials: Photon magnetic properties and radiation pressures

We investigate the magnetic properties of photons propagating through Dirac materials in a magnetic field, considering both vacuum and medium contributions. Photon propagation properties are obtained through a second-order expansion of nonlinear Euler-Heisenberg electrodynamics at finite density and temperature considering Dirac material parameters (Dirac fine structure constant, band gap, and Fermi velocity). Total magnetization (including electron and photon contributions) and photon-effective magnetic moment are computed. Observables such as photon energy density, radiation pressure, and Poynting vector are obtained by an average of components of the energy-momentum tensor. All quantities are expressed in terms of Lagrangian derivatives. Those related to the vacuum are valid for any value of the external magnetic field, and both the weak- and strong-field limits are recovered. We discuss some ideas of experiments that may contribute to testing in Dirac materials the phenomenology of the strong magnetic field in the quantum electrodynamic (QED) vacuum and how nonlinear corrections on the magnetization, radiation pressure, and birefringence are amplified up to 103 times QED corrections. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Highly charged ions of heavy actinides as sensitive probes for time variation of the fine-structure constant

Highly charged ions of heavy actinides as sensitive probes for time variation of the fine-structure constant

Generation of Narrow Beams of Super High-Energy Gamma Quanta in the Resonant Compton Effect in the Field of a Strong X-ray Wave

The article presents a theoretical study of Oleinik resonances in the process of scattering a gamma quantum by an ultrarelativistic electron in the field of a strong electromagnetic wave with intensities up to 1027Wcm−2. The resonant kinematics for three possible resonant reaction channels in a strong external field have been studied in detail. It is shown that under resonant conditions, the scattering channels of the reaction effectively split into two first-order processes according to the fine structure constant, such as the external field-stimulated Compton effect. The annihilation channel of the reaction effectively decays into direct and reverse the external field-stimulated Breit–Wheeler processes. In the absence of interference from the reaction channels, a resonant differential cross-section was obtained in a strong external electromagnetic field. The cases when the energy of the initial electrons significantly exceeds the energy of the initial gamma quanta have been studied. At the same time, all particles (initial and final) fly in a narrow cone away from the direction of wave propagation. The conditions under which the energy of ultrarelativistic initial electrons is converted into the energy of a finite gamma quantum are studied. It is shown that the resonant differential cross-section of such a process significantly (by several orders of magnitude) exceeds the corresponding nonresonant cross-section. This theoretical study predicts a number of new physical effects that may explain the high-energy fluxes of gamma quanta produced near neutron stars and magnetars.

Constraining fundamental constants with fast radio bursts: unveiling the role of energy scale

ABSTRACT Understanding physical mechanisms relies on the accurate determination of fundamental constants, although inherent limitations in experimental techniques introduce uncertainties into these measurements. This paper explores the uncertainties associated with measuring the fine-structure constant ($\alpha$) and the proton-to-electron mass ratio ($\mu$) using observed fast radio bursts (FRBs). We select 50 localized FRBs to quantify the effects of varying this fundamental coupling on the relation between dispersion measure and redshift. By leveraging independent measurements of dispersion measures and redshifts of these FRBs, we constrain the uncertainties in $\alpha$ and $\mu$ approximately to $\Delta \alpha /\alpha =1.99\times 10^{-5}$ and $\Delta \mu /\mu =-1.00\times 10^{-5}$ within the standard $\Lambda$CDM cosmological framework. Remarkably, these constraints improve nearly an order-of-magnitude when considering a dynamical dark energy model. This investigation not only yields one of the most stringent constraints on $\alpha$ and $\mu$ to date but also emphasizes the criticality of accounting for the energy scale of the system when formulating constraints on fundamental parameters.

First Search for Dark-Trident Processes Using the MicroBooNE Detector

We present a first search for dark-trident scattering in a neutrino beam using a dataset corresponding to 7.2×1020 protons on target taken with the MicroBooNE detector at Fermilab. Proton interactions in the neutrino target at the main injector produce π0 and η mesons, which could decay into dark-matter (DM) particles mediated via a dark photon A′. A convolutional neural network is trained to identify interactions of the DM particles in the liquid-argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) exploiting its imagelike reconstruction capability. In the absence of a DM signal, we provide limits at the 90% confidence level on the squared kinematic mixing parameter ϵ2 as a function of the dark-photon mass in the range 10≤MA′≤400 MeV. The limits cover previously unconstrained parameter space for the production of fermion or scalar DM particles χ for two benchmark models with mass ratios Mχ/MA′=0.6 and 2 and for dark fine-structure constants 0.1≤αD≤1. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

About Dark Energy

We have considered the physical space filled by a quantum fluid made up of discrete elements organized into several coexisting phases. In this model, what we call “dark energy” appears as main phase of the Vacuum, we propose here that it is the phase associated with the fundamental level of this quantum fluid. After an examination of its main properties, we show that the refractive index of the real vacuum, which is consisting largely of dark energy and fossil radiation, has an “abnormal” value compared to it. We thus verify that the inverse of the fine structure constant associated with the dark energy is indeed the integer 137.

About the Fine Structure Constant

This study builds on a previous publication entitled “a formula for electron mass calculation based on new fundamental concepts (ref.1), it shows that the relationship obtained between the mass of the electron and the four fundamental constants of physics, including fine structure constant, is precisely satisfied (to the millionth) if we take the inverse of the latter equal to the whole number 137. This value is interpreted as “ideal” for a Vacuum which would be free from radiation and other particles, therefore consisting exclusively of dark energy, this would imply a slight modification of the speed of light and Planck's constant, in this medium.

Quantum duality in electromagnetism and the fine structure constant

We describe the interplay between electric-magnetic duality and higher symmetry in Maxwell theory. When the fine structure constant is rational, the theory admits noninvertible symmetries which can be realized as composites of electric-magnetic duality and gauging a discrete subgroup of the one-form global symmetry. These noninvertible symmetries are approximate quantum invariances of the natural world which emerge in the infrared below the mass scale of charged particles. We construct these symmetries explicitly as topological defects and illustrate their action on local and extended operators. We also describe their action on boundary conditions and illustrate some consequences of the symmetry for Hilbert spaces of the theory defined in finite volume. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Energy-technological quantum parameters of silicon in electronics

Theoretical and experimental material on silicon is presented, which, together with formal and experimental dependencies of energy technological processes, determines the parameters of integrated electronic circuits. It is shown that the fundamentals of quantum physics, the fine structure constants of electricity and magnetism, together with theoretical and experimental data on energy technology processes, make it possible to consider patterns for electronic structural materials. The relationships between Planck's constant, gravitational constant, speed of light, electrical constant, dielectric constant, electrical charges and mass for the element silicon are considered. Methodological issues of formalizing the parameters of energy technological processes, which determine the fine structure constant of silicon, are noted.

Medium-induced photon bremsstrahlung in neutrino-nucleus, antineutrino-nucleus, and electron-nucleus scattering from multiple QED interactions

Interactions of charged leptons with nuclei and the naive tree-level kinematics of these processes are affected by radiation of photons induced by the QED nuclear medium. We evaluate cross section modifications at leading orders of the number of correlated interactions inside the nucleus, known as the opacity expansion. We derive results for soft and collinear types of the bremsstrahlung at the first three orders in opacity and generalize them to higher orders. We present the leading in opacity energy spectra of soft and collinear photons and radiative energy loss inside the nucleus for experiments with lepton kinematics in the GeV energy range. At leading power of the Glauber soft-collinear effective field theory, the soft radiation is further resummed to all orders both in opacity and in the electromagnetic coupling constant. We find that the soft and collinear medium-induced radiation is vacuumlike, and additional corrections are power suppressed. Despite the negligible modification to the induced photon spectra, the nuclear medium-induced radiation sizably affects the broadening of charged leptons in the direction orthogonal to their propagation. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Electron g−2 foreshadowing discoveries at FCC-ee

A future e+e− circular collider (FCC-ee) may provide a unique probe of the electron Yukawa coupling through Higgs boson production on resonance. Motivated by this exciting possibility, we examine a simple model which can result in O(10) modifications of the Higgs coupling to electrons. The model can also lead to deviations in the electron anomalous magnetic moment, ge−2, which at present shows a +2.2σ or −3.7σ deviation, implied by differing precision determinations of the electromagnetic fine structure constant. The electron ge−2 can be a forerunner for FCC-ee discoveries which, as we elucidate, may not be accessible to the high-luminosity LHC measurements. A simple extension of our model can also account for the current deviation in the muon gμ−2. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Precision Measurement of the n=2 Triplet P J=1 to J=0 Fine Structure of Atomic Helium Using Frequency-Offset Separated Oscillatory Fields.

Increasing accuracy of the theory and experiment of the n=2 ^{3}P fine structure of helium has allowed for increasingly precise tests of quantum electrodynamics (QED), determinations of the fine-structure constant α, and limitations on possible beyond the standard model physics. Here we present a 2ppb measurement of the J=1 to J=0 interval. The measurement is performed using frequency-offset separated-oscillatory fields. Our result of 29 616 955 018(60)Hz represents a landmark for helium fine-structure measurements, and, for the first time, will allow for a 1-ppb determination of the fine-structure constant when QED theory for the interval is improved.

Laser spectroscopy of triply charged 229Th isomer for a nuclear clock.

Thorium-229 (229Th) possesses an optical nuclear transition between the ground state (229gTh) and low-lying isomer (229mTh). A nuclear clock based on this nuclear-transition frequency is expected to surpass existing atomic clocks owing to its insusceptibility to surrounding fields1-5. In contrast to other charge states, triply charged 229Th (229Th3+) is the most suitable for highly accurate nuclear clocks because it has closed electronic transitions that enable laser cooling, laser-induced fluorescence detection and state preparation of ions1,6-8. Although laser spectroscopic studies of 229Th3+ in the nuclear ground state have been performed8, properties of 229mTh3+, including its nuclear decay lifetime that is essential to specify the intrinsic linewidth of the nuclear-clock transition, remain unknown. Here we report the trapping of 229mTh3+ continuously supplied by a 233U source and the determination of nuclear decay half-life of the isolated 229mTh3+ to be through nuclear-state-selective laser spectroscopy. Furthermore, by determining the hyperfine constants of 229mTh3+, we reduced the uncertainty of the sensitivity of the 229Th nuclear clock to variations in the fine-structure constant by a factor of four. These results offer key parameters for the 229Th3+ nuclear clock and its applications in the search for new physics.

Optimizing the heat capacities of sphalerite phases as single system, or how nuclear physics can help physical chemistry

The correct mathematical description of heat capacities Cp in a wide range of temperatures is still unsolved problem. A fragmental description of some phases is like a vision of one part of a large mosaic picture. A single description of Cp or other property of a phase of any isostructural series does not allow one to see the integrity of the entire ensemble. We propose a special mathematical model to describe Cp in a wide temperature range for a whole large class of isostructural sphalerite phases. In the proposed model, it is believed that an ideal crystal does not have any foreign inclusions, defects, or dislocations. The group IV elements (Si, Ge, α-Sn and diamond-like Pb) were taken as the basis, with flerovium (114Fl) closing this group. There should be no other elements in this group according to the fine structure constant (α) (or the Sommerfeld constant). As a consequence, the limiting value of the heat capacities of phases with a sphalerite structure falls on the element 114 (114Fl) and has a value of Cp = 30.5 ± 0.3 J · mol-at−1 · K−1. This value was obtained as a maximal virtual point Cp of the last element (114Fl) of group IV and corresponds to Ln (Cp/R) = 1.30 ± 0.01 for the isotherms ln (Cp/R) vs Ln(N), where N is an atomic number of an element of group IV or the sum of the atomic numbers of AIIIBV or AIIBVI compounds per mole-atom. The common point of heat capacity attributable to flerovium is obtained from the linear equations Ср/R vs Ln(N) at low temperatures from 25 to 35K. For only pure elements of group IV (Si, Ge, α-Sn and diamond-like Pb), flerovium closes this group, and there are no other elements behind it, according to α. The maximum heat capacity of flerovium can be taken as 30.5 J·mol-at−1·K−1 with an accuracy of 1%. As the temperature decreases, this value slowly decreases (within 1%), and then, when it approaches 0 K, it drops sharply to 0 J·mol-at−1·K−1. To describe the set of the isostructural experimental data Cp(T) for diamond-like phases in solid state as a whole system, here we used a special multi-parameter family of functions. For each substance, the parameters are found by minimizing the discrepancy between the theoretical dependence Cp(T) and corresponding experimental data. The dependence of the heat capacities for elements of group IV (Si, Ge, α-Sn, diamond-like Pb, Fl) at fixed temperatures on Ln(N), where N is the atomic number or the demi sum of the atomic numbers of phases AIIBVI or AIIIBV. In this case, either a break point or an inflection point attributable to germanium is observed for parameter dependencies on Ln(N).

Characterization of the ESPRESSO line-spread function and improvement of the wavelength calibration accuracy

ABSTRACT Achieving a truly accurate wavelength calibration of high-dispersion echelle spectrographs is a challenging task but crucially needed for certain science cases, e.g. to test for a possible variation of the fine-structure constant in quasar spectra. One of the spectrographs best suited for this mission is Very Large Telescope/Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observation (ESPRESSO). Nevertheless, previous studies have identified significant discrepancies between the classical wavelength solutions and the one derived independently from the laser frequency comb. The dominant parts of these systematics were intra-order distortions, most-likely related to a deviation of the instrumental line-spread function from the assumed Gaussian shape. Here, we therefore present a study focused on a detailed modelling of the ESPRESSO instrumental line-spread function. We demonstrate that it is strongly asymmetric, non-Gaussian, different for the two slices and fibres, and varies significantly along the spectral orders. Incorporating the determined non-parametric model in the wavelength calibration process drastically improves the wavelength calibration accuracy, reducing the discrepancies between the two independent wavelength solutions from $50\,\rm{m\,s^{-1}}$ to about $10\, \rm{m\,s^{-1}}$. The most striking success is, however, that the different fibres and slices now provide fully consistent measurements with a scatter of just a couple m s−1. This demonstrates that the instrument-related systematics can be nearly eliminated over most of the spectral range by properly taking into account the complex shape of the instrumental line-spread function and paves the way for further optimizations of the wavelength calibration process.

Derivation of the Schrödinger equation from QED

The Schrödinger equation relates the emergent quantities of wavefunction and electric potential and is postulated as a principle of quantum physics or obtained heuristically. However, physical consistency requires that the Schrödinger equation is a low-energy dynamical condition we can derive from the foundations of quantum electrodynamics. Due to the small value of the electromagnetic coupling constant, we show that the electric potential accurately represents the contributions of intermediate low-energy photon exchanges. Then, from the total nonrelativistic energy relation, we see that the dominant term of the electron wavefunction is a superposition of plane waves that satisfies the Schrödinger equation. Our derivation shows that the Schrödinger equation is not an energy conservation relation because its middle term does not represent the electron kinetic energy as assumed. We analyze the physical content of the Schrödinger equation and verify our assessments by calculating and evaluating the physical quantities in the ground state of the hydrogen atom. Furthermore, we explain why nonrelativistic quantum dynamics differs from classical dynamics. Undergraduate students can follow the derivation because it involves fundamental physical concepts and mathematical expressions, and we explain every step.