63 research outputs found
Proton-electron mass ratio from HD revisited
We present a new derivation of the proton-electron mass ratio from the
hydrogen molecular ion, HD. The derivation entails the adjustment of the
mass ratio in highly precise theory so as to reproduce accurately measured
ro-vibrational frequencies. This work is motivated by recent improvements of
the theory, as well as the more accurate value of the electron mass in the
recently published CODATA-14 set of fundamental constants, which justifies
using it as input data in the adjustment, rather than the proton mass value as
done in previous works. This leads to significantly different sensitivity
coefficients and, consequently, a different value and larger uncertainty margin
of the proton-electron mass ratio as obtained from HD
Two-photon spectroscopy of trapped HD ions in the Lamb-Dicke regime
We study the feasibility of nearly-degenerate two-photon rovibrational
spectroscopy in ensembles of trapped, sympathetically cooled hydrogen molecular
ions using a resonance-enhanced multiphoton dissociation (REMPD) scheme. Taking
advantage of quasi-coincidences in the rovibrational spectrum, the excitation
lasers are tuned close to an intermediate level to resonantly enhance
two-photon absorption. Realistic simulations of the REMPD signal are obtained
using a four-level model that takes into account saturation effects, ion
trajectories, laser frequency noise and redistribution of population by
blackbody radiation. We show that the use of counterpropagating laser beams
enables optical excitation in an effective Lamb-Dicke regime. Sub-Doppler lines
having widths in the 100 Hz range can be observed with good signal-to-noise
ratio for an optimal choice of laser detunings. Our results indicate the
feasibility of molecular spectroscopy at the accuracy level for
improved tests of molecular QED, a new determination of the proton-to-electron
mass ratio, and studies of the time (in)dependence of the latter.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figure
Polarization dependence of four-wave mixing in a degenerate two-level system
Nearly degenerate four-wave mixing (NDFWM) within a closed degenerate
two-level atomic transition is theoretically and experimentally examined. Using
the model presented by A. Lezama et al [Phys. Rev. A 61, 013801 (2000)] the
NDFWM spectra corresponding to different pump and probe polarization cases are
calculated and discussed. The calculated spectra are compared to the
observation of NDFWM within the transition of
cesium in a phase conjugation experiment using magneto optically cooled atomsComment: 10 pages, 13 figures; submitted to Phys. Rev.
Transverse-mode coupling in a Kerr medium
We analyze nonlinear transverse mode coupling in a Kerr medium placed in an
optical cavity and its influence on bistability and different kinds of quantum
noise reduction. Even for an input beam that is perfectly matched to a cavity
mode, the nonlinear coupling produces an excess noise in the fluctuations of
the output beam. Intensity squeezing seems to be particularly robust with
respect to mode coupling, while quadrature squeezing is more sensitive.
However, it is possible to find a mode the quadrature squeezing of which is not
affected by the coupling.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, LaTe
Optical frequency measurement of the 1S-3S two-photon transition in hydrogen
This article reports the first optical frequency measurement of the
transition in hydrogen. The excitation of this
transition occurs at a wavelength of 205 nm which is obtained with two
frequency doubling stages of a titanium sapphire laser at 820 nm. Its frequency
is measured with an optical frequency comb. The second-order Doppler effect is
evaluated from the observation of the motional Stark effect due to a transverse
magnetic field perpendicular to the atomic beam. The measured value of the
frequency splitting is with a relative uncertainty of
. After the measurement of the
frequency, this result is the most precise of the optical frequencies in
hydrogen
Development of a PbWO4 Detector for Single-Shot Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy at the GBAR Experiment
We have developed a PbWO4 (PWO) detector with a large dynamic range to measure the intensity of a positron beam and the absolute density of the ortho-positronium (o-Ps) cloud it creates. A simulation study shows that a setup based on such detectors may be used to determine the angular distribution of the emission and reflection of o-Ps to reduce part of the uncertainties of the measurement. These will allow to improve the precision in the measurement of the cross-section for the (anti)hydrogen formation by (anti)proton-positronium charge exchange and to optimize the yield of antihydrogen ion which is an essential parameter in the GBAR experiment
Two-color rubidium fiber frequency standard
We demonstrate an optical frequency standard based on rubidium vapor loaded within a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. We use the 5S(1/2)→5D(5/2) two-photon transition, excited with two lasers at 780 and 776 nm. The sum-frequency of these lasers is stabilized to this transition using modulation transfer spectroscopy, demonstrating a fractional frequency stability of 9.8×10(-12) at 1 s. The current performance limitations are presented, along with a path to improving the performance by an order of magnitude. This technique will deliver a compact, robust standard with potential applications in commercial and industrial environments.C. Perrella, P. S. Light, J. D. Anstie, F. N. Baynes, F. Benabid, and A. N. Luite
Towards a test of the weak equivalence principle of gravity using anti-hydrogen at CERN
International audienceThe aim of the GBAR (Gravitational Behavior of Antimatter at Rest) experiment is to measure the free fall acceleration of an antihydrogen atom, in the terrestrial gravitational field at CERN and therefore test the Weak Equivalence Principle with antimatter. The aim is to measure the local gravity with a 1% uncertainty which can be reduced to few parts of 10-3
Health information seeking on the Internet: a double divide? Results from a representative survey in the Paris metropolitan area, France, 2005–2006
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Internet is a major source of information for professionals and the general public, especially in the field of health. However, despite ever-increasing connection rates, a digital divide persists in the industrialised countries. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants involved in: 1) having or not having Internet access; and 2) using or not using the Internet to obtain health information.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey of a representative random sample was conducted in the Paris metropolitan area, France, in the fall of 2005 (n = 3023).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Close to 70% of the adult population had Internet access, and 49% of Internet users had previously searched for medical information. Economic and social disparities observed in online health information seeking are reinforced by the economic and social disparities in Internet access, hence a double divide. While individuals who reported having a recent health problem were less likely to have Internet access (odds ratio (OR): 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53–0.98), it is they who, when they have Internet access, are the most likely to search for health information (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.11–1.87).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the French context of universal health insurance, access to the Internet varies according to social and socioeconomic status and health status, and its use for health information seeking varies also with health beliefs, but not to health insurance coverage or health-care utilisation. Certain economic and social inequalities seem to impact cumulatively on Internet access and on the use of the Internet for health information seeking. It is not obvious that the Internet is a special information tool for primary prevention in people who are the furthest removed from health concerns. However, the Internet appears to be a useful complement for secondary prevention, especially for better understanding health problems or enhancing therapeutic compliance.</p
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