| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/K52058/01 |
| Title: |
FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS THROUGH PRECISE CONTROL OF ATOMS, MOLECULES AND LIGHT |
| Principal Investigator: |
Hinds, Professor EA |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Physics and Astronomy |
| Organisation: |
University of Sussex |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 August 1995 |
Ends: |
31 August 1998 |
Value (£): |
706,909
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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(A) We will build an apparatus to search for violation of time-reversal symmetry (T), using electron spin resonance in the YbF molecule to determine the electric dipole moment of the electron with unprecendented sensitivity. This new approach will yield one of the most stringent tests of T in any system. The origin of T-violation is a pressing open question with deep connections to field theory, high-energy physics, and cosmology, which this measurement will helpt to elucidate.(B) Our laboratory has a unique capability to study the unusual properties of atoms in micron-sized cavities (cavity QED) and to measure extremely weak long-range atom-surface interactions. We will measure laser excitation of single atoms confiend within a microcavity and the deflection of ultra-cold atoms near cavity walls. These experiments will study: (i) the long-range interaction between an atom and a dielectric or dissipating surface; (ii) the de Broglie wavefunction of an atom channeled in a single node of a laser standing wave (iii) the control of atoms by means of suitbly microstructured surfaces.(c) At present, the measure Lamb shift of He+(2S) disagrees with theory by 9 standard deviations, indicating a serious problem either with the high-order corrections to QED theory or with the existing experimental data. We will measure Lamb shift by two-photon, laser excitation in order to resolve the issue. Comparison of this measurement with our recent measurement of the H(IS) Lamb shift, can be used to obtain a new value for the radius of the proton.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.sussex.ac.uk |