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arXiv:2303.06402

Novel spin-precession method for sensitive EDM searches

A. Boeschoten, Marshall, V. R., T. B. Meijknecht, Anno Touwen, Hendrick L. Bethlem, Anastasia Borschevsky, Steven Hoekstra, Joost W. F. van Hofslot, Klaus Peter Jungmann, Maarten C. Mooij, Rob G. E. Timmermans, Wim Ubachs, Lorenz Willmann

Published Mar 11, 2023• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We demonstrate a spin-precession method to observe and analyze multi-level coherence between all hyperfine levels in the $X ^2Σ^+,N=0$ ground state of barium monofluoride ($^{138}$Ba$^{19}$F). The signal is sensitive to the state-preparation Rabi frequency and external electric and magnetic fields applied in searches for a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM). In the obtained interference spectrum, the electric field and Rabi frequency become observable simultaneously with the EDM. This method reduces systematic biases and the number of auxiliary measurements for such precision measurements.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2303.06402

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We demonstrate a spin-precession method to observe and analyze multi-level coherence between all hyperfine levels in the X2Σ+,N=0X ^2Σ^+,N=0X2Σ+,N=0 ground state of barium monofluoride (138^{138}138Ba19^{19}19F). The signal is sensitive to the state-preparation Rabi frequency and external electric and magnetic fields applied in searches for a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM). In the obtained interference spectrum, the electric field and Rabi frequency become observable simultaneously with the EDM. This method reduces systematic biases and the number of auxiliary measurements for such precision measurements.
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The permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of atoms, molecules, and elementary particles is predicted in the standard model. While it is too small compared with the experimental measurement sensitivity, it is an important method to search for beyond-standard-model physics via CP violating mechanisms. In this talk, I will focus on the EDM measurement of the 171Yb atoms with atoms held in an optical dipole trap. A quantum nondemolition measurement with a spin-detection efficiency of 50% is realized. A systematic effect due to parity mixing induced by a static E field is observed, and is suppressed by averaging between measurements with optical dipole traps in opposite directions. The coherent spin precession time is found to be much longer than 300 s. The measurement result leads to an upper limit of |d(171Yb)| < 1.5 E−26 e cm (95% C.L.). These measurement techniques can be adapted to search for the EDM of 225Ra.
First Measurement of the Atomic Electric Dipole Moment of 225^{225}225Ra
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Optical magnetometry plays a critical role in low-energy precision measurements and numerous other applications. In particular, permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) searches impose strict requirements on magnetic field sensitivity of the underlying atomic or molecular species. Other magnetometer properties -- such as chemical reactivity, dielectric strength, and interaction cross-sections with other species -- also impose limitations on experimental conditions. Here, we explore a novel approach to optical magnetometry, using multiphoton transitions of diamagnetic atoms to detect Larmor precession of polarized nuclei. Resonant probes are possible at moderate ultraviolet wavelengths, and hyperfine structure couples spin precession to fluorescence transitions with negligible backgrounds; paramagnetic rotation due to intensity-dependent dispersion may also be detectable. Nuclear spins and nonlinear optical excitation introduce new degrees of freedom, and evade limitations arising from rapid electronic decoherence. This dissertation reports progress towards two-photon optical magnetometry using ytterbium, rubidium, and xenon. We characterize the influence of probe polarization and magnetic fields on fluorescence spectra, for one- and two-photon continuous-wave (cw) excitation of ytterbium. Resolved hyperfine and isotope structure allow us to use spin-zero isotopes for diagnostics and normalization, and we develop analysis for overlapping two-photon resonances. We also report measurements of two-photon excitation in ytterbium and rubidium using picosecond laser pulses, and in xenon using a cw laser. Although hyperfine structure is unresolved, the rubidium measurements are sensitive to probe field polarization. Fluorescence spectra from two-photon excitation of ytterbium with femtosecond pulses show modulation when the repetition rate changes. Although techniques for polarizing noble gas nuclei are mature, existing cell designs are incompatible with two-photon magnetometry. We describe development of silicate-assisted hydroxide-catalysis bonding for both aluminosilicate EDM cells with silicon electrodes, and sapphire-windowed cells that transmit ultraviolet excitation light. Progress in measuring the 129Xe nuclear EDM is discussed. Absolute referencing of the picosecond laser to potassium transitions is proposed for two-photon spectroscopy of ytterbium and xenon, and a compatible frequency-tripling method is outlined to produce excitation light for xenon. Novel possibilities including spatial resolution and multiphoton optical pumping of nuclear spins are considered.
We explore ways to use the ability to measure the populations of individual magnetic sublevels to improve the sensitivity of magnetic field measurements and measurements of atomic electric dipole moments (EDMs). When atoms are initialized in the m=0m=0m=0 magnetic sublevel, the shot-noise-limited uncertainty of these measurements is 1/2F(F+1)1/\sqrt{2F(F+1)}1/2F(F+1)​ smaller than that of a Larmor precession measurement. When the populations in the even (or odd) magnetic sublevels are combined, we show that these measurements are independent of the tensor Stark shift and the second order Zeeman shift. We discuss the complicating effect of a transverse magnetic field and show that when the ratio of the tensor Stark shift to the transverse magnetic field is sufficiently large, an EDM measurement with atoms initialized in the superposition of the stretched states can reach the optimal sensitivity.