38,394 research outputs found

    Investigation of the fine structure of antihydrogen.

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    At the historic Shelter Island Conference on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics in 1947, Willis Lamb reported an unexpected feature in the fine structure of atomic hydrogen: a separation of the 2S1/2 and 2P1/2 states1. The observation of this separation, now known as the Lamb shift, marked an important event in the evolution of modern physics, inspiring others to develop the theory of quantum electrodynamics2-5. Quantum electrodynamics also describes antimatter, but it has only recently become possible to synthesize and trap atomic antimatter to probe its structure. Mirroring the historical development of quantum atomic physics in the twentieth century, modern measurements on anti-atoms represent a unique approach for testing quantum electrodynamics and the foundational symmetries of the standard model. Here we report measurements of the fine structure in the n = 2 states of antihydrogen, the antimatter counterpart of the hydrogen atom. Using optical excitation of the 1S-2P Lyman-α transitions in antihydrogen6, we determine their frequencies in a magnetic field of 1 tesla to a precision of 16 parts per billion. Assuming the standard Zeeman and hyperfine interactions, we infer the zero-field fine-structure splitting (2P1/2-2P3/2) in antihydrogen. The resulting value is consistent with the predictions of quantum electrodynamics to a precision of 2 per cent. Using our previously measured value of the 1S-2S transition frequency6,7, we find that the classic Lamb shift in antihydrogen (2S1/2-2P1/2 splitting at zero field) is consistent with theory at a level of 11 per cent. Our observations represent an important step towards precision measurements of the fine structure and the Lamb shift in the antihydrogen spectrum as tests of the charge-parity-time symmetry8 and towards the determination of other fundamental quantities, such as the antiproton charge radius9,10, in this antimatter system

    Effect of electronic angular momentum exchange on photoelectron anisotropy following the two-colour ionization of krypton atoms

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    We present photoelectron energy and angular distributions for resonant two-photon ionization via several low-lying Rydberg states of atomic Kr. The experiments were performed by using synchrotron radiation to pump the Rydberg states and a continuous wave laser to probe them. Photoelectron images, recorded with both linear and circular polarized pump and probe light, were obtained in coincidence with mass-analyzed Kr ions. The photoelectron angular distributions and branching ratios for direct ionization into the Kr+ 2P3/2 and 2P1/2 spin-orbit continua show considerable dependence on the intermediate level, as well as on the polarizations of the pump and probe light. Photoelectron angular distributions were also recorded with several polarization combinations following two-colour excitation of the (2P1/2)5f[5/2]2 autoionizing resonance. These results are compared with the results of recent work on the corresponding autoionizing resonance in atomic Xe

    Metastable states, the adiabatic theorem and parity violating geometric phases II

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    We discuss and calculate parity conserving (PC) and parity violating (PV) geometric phases for the metastable 2S states of hydrogen and deuterium. The atoms are supposed to be subjected to slowly varying electric and magnetic fields which act as external parameters for the atoms. Geometric flux density fields are introduced which allow for an easy overview how to choose the paths in parameter space in order to obtain only PC or only PV geometric phases. The PV phases are calculated in the Standard Model of particle physics. Even if numerically they come out small they have interest of principle as a new manifestation of parity violation in atomic physics.Comment: 63 pages, 8 figures, 10 table

    Relativistic coupled cluster calculations on hyperfine structures and electromagnetic transition amplitudes of In III

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    Hyperfine constants and anomalies of ground as well as few low lying excited states of 113,115,117^{113,115,117}In III are studied with highly correlated relativistic coupled-cluster theory. The ground state hyperfine splitting of 115^{115}In III is estimated to be 106.8 GHz. A shift of almost 1.9 GHz of the above frequency has been calculated due to modified nuclear dipole moment. This splitting result shows its applicability as communication band and frequency standards at 101110^{-11} sec. Correlations study of hyperfine constants indicates a few distinct features of many-body effects in the wave-functions in and near the nuclear region of this ion. Astrophysically important forbidden transition amplitudes are estimated for the first time in the literature to our knowledge. The calculated oscillator strengths of few allowed transitions are compared with recent experimental and theoretical results wherever available.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

    Conditions for stable equilibrium in Cournot duopoly models with tax evasion and time delay

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    We provide conditions for stable equilibrium in Cournot duopoly models with tax evasion and time delay. We prove that our conditions actually imply asymptotically stable equilibrium and delay independence. Conditions include the same marginal cost and equal probability for evading taxes. We give examples of cost and inverse demand functions satisfying the proposed conditions. Some economic interpretations of our results are also included.Comment: Major revision performed, includes title change and correction of some proofs. 14 pages, 1 figur

    Manipulation and Detection of a Trapped Yb+ Ion Hyperfine Qubit

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    We demonstrate the use of trapped ytterbium ions as quantum bits for quantum information processing. We implement fast, efficient state preparation and state detection of the first-order magnetic field-insensitive hyperfine levels of 171Yb+, with a measured coherence time of 2.5 seconds. The high efficiency and high fidelity of these operations is accomplished through the stabilization and frequency modulation of relevant laser sources.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 1 tabl

    On-line Excited-State Laser Spectroscopy of Trapped Short-Lived Ra+^+ Ions

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    As an important step towards an atomic parity violation experiment in one single trapped Ra+^+ ion, laser spectroscopy experiments were performed with on-line produced short-lived 212,213,214^{212,213,214}Ra+^+ ions. The isotope shift of the 6\,^2D3/2_{3/2}\,-\,7\,^2P1/2_{1/2} and 6\,^2D3/2_{3/2}\,-\,7\,^2P3/2_{3/2} transitions and the hyperfine structure constant of the 7\,^2S1/2_{1/2} and 6\,^2D3/2_{3/2} states in 213^{213}Ra+^+ were measured. These values provide a benchmark for the required atomic theory. A lower limit of 232(4)232(4) ms for the lifetime of the metastable 6\,^2D5/2_{5/2} state was measured by optical shelving.Comment: 4.2 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables
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