Rotating Resonator-Oscillator Experiments to Test Lorentz Invariance in Electrodynamics

In this work we outline the two most commonly used test theories (RMS and SME) for testing Local Lorentz Invariance (LLI) of the photon. Then we develop the general framework of applying these test theories to resonator experiments with an emphasis on rotating experiments in the laboratory. We compare the inherent sensitivity factors of common experiments and propose some new configurations. Finally we apply the test theories to the rotating cryogenic experiment at the University of Western Australia, which recently set new limits in both the RMS and SME frameworks [hep-ph/0506074].Comment: Submitted to Lecture Notes in Physics, 36 pages, minor modifications, updated list of reference

Improved test of Lorentz Invariance in Electrodynamics using Rotating Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillators

We present new results from our test of Lorentz invariance, which compares two orthogonal cryogenic sapphire microwave oscillators rotating in the lab. We have now acquired over 1 year of data, allowing us to avoid the short data set approximation (less than 1 year) that assumes no cancelation occurs between the $\tilde{\kappa}_{e-}$ and $\tilde{\kappa}_{o+}$ parameters from the photon sector of the standard model extension. Thus, we are able to place independent limits on all eight $\tilde{\kappa}_{e-}$ and $\tilde{\kappa}_{o+}$ parameters. Our results represents up to a factor of 10 improvement over previous non rotating measurements (which independently constrained 7 parameters), and is a slight improvement (except for $\tilde{\kappa}_{e-}^{ZZ}$) over results from previous rotating experiments that assumed the short data set approximation. Also, an analysis in the Robertson-Mansouri-Sexl framework allows us to place a new limit on the isotropy parameter $P_{MM}=\delta-\beta+{1/2}$ of $9.4(8.1)\times10^{-11}$, an improvement of a factor of 2.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Creating traveling waves from standing waves from the gyrotropic paramagnetic properties of Fe3+^{3+} ions in a high-Q whispering gallery mode sapphire resonator

We report observations of the gyrotropic change in magnetic susceptibility of the Fe$^{3+}$ electron paramagnetic resonance at 12.037GHz (between spin states $|1/2>$ and $|3/2>$) in sapphire with respect to applied magnetic field. Measurements were made by observing the response of the high-Q Whispering Gallery doublet (WGH$_{\pm17,0,0}$) in a Hemex sapphire resonator cooled to 5 K. The doublets initially existed as standing waves at zero field and were transformed to traveling waves due to the gyrotropic response.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Relativity tests by complementary rotating Michelson-Morley experiments

We report Relativity tests based on data from two simultaneous Michelson-Morley experiments, spanning a period of more than one year. Both were actively rotated on turntables. One (in Berlin, Germany) uses optical Fabry-Perot resonators made of fused silica; the other (in Perth, Australia) uses microwave whispering-gallery sapphire resonators. Within the standard model extension, we obtain simultaneous limits on Lorentz violation for electrons (5 coefficients) and photons (8) at levels down to $10^{-16}$, improved by factors between 3 and 50 compared to previous work.Comment: 5 pages revtex, 2 figure

On the field anhydrobiotic ability of Pratylenchis thornei and Merlinius brevidens

La présente étude du comportement anhydrobiotique de #Pratylenchus thornei et de #Merlinius brevidens a été réalisée dans un champ non irrigué de blé cv. Gallareta, variété considérée comme non-hôte ou mauvais hôte pour ces nématodes. #P. thornei paraît plus dépendant de l'humidité du sol que #M. brevidens en ce qui concerne sa récupération après 15 h de migration (réhydratation, réactivation et migration). #M. brevidens sort plus facilement de son état anhydrobiotique. Les schémas d'émergence sont semblables pour les deux nématodes qu'ils soient actifs ou récupérés après une anhydrobiose prononcée. Ces schémas sont par contre différents s'il s'agit d'un stade précoce d'anhydrobiose (anhydrobiose modérée). Les deux nématodes font montre, en relation avec la profondeur du sol, d'une inertie à entrer en anhydrobiose qui paraît dépendre des processus naturels de dessiccation du sol du champ. Cette inertie semble plus prononcée chez #M. brevidens. (Résumé d'auteur

Progress in Atomic Fountains at LNE-SYRTE

We give an overview of the work done with the Laboratoire National de M\'etrologie et d'Essais-Syst\`emes de R\'ef\'erence Temps-Espace (LNE-SYRTE) fountain ensemble during the last five years. After a description of the clock ensemble, comprising three fountains, FO1, FO2, and FOM, and the newest developments, we review recent studies of several systematic frequency shifts. This includes the distributed cavity phase shift, which we evaluate for the FO1 and FOM fountains, applying the techniques of our recent work on FO2. We also report calculations of the microwave lensing frequency shift for the three fountains, review the status of the blackbody radiation shift, and summarize recent experimental work to control microwave leakage and spurious phase perturbations. We give current accuracy budgets. We also describe several applications in time and frequency metrology: fountain comparisons, calibrations of the international atomic time, secondary representation of the SI second based on the 87Rb hyperfine frequency, absolute measurements of optical frequencies, tests of the T2L2 satellite laser link, and review fundamental physics applications of the LNE-SYRTE fountain ensemble. Finally, we give a summary of the tests of the PHARAO cold atom space clock performed using the FOM transportable fountain.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figures, 5 tables, 126 reference