378 research outputs found
The influence of the chameleon field potential on transition frequencies of gravitationally bound quantum states of ultra-cold neutrons
We calculate the chameleon field potential for ultracold neutrons, bouncing
on top of one or between two neutron mirrors in the gravitational field of the
Earth. For the resulting non--linear equations of motion we give approximate
analytical solutions and compare them with exact numerical ones for which we
propose the analytical fit. The obtained solutions may be used for the
quantitative analysis of contributions of a chameleon field to the transition
frequencies of quantum states of ultra-cold neutrons bound in the gravitational
field of the Earth.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
Neutron Interferometry constrains dark energy chameleon fields
We present phase shift measurements for neutron matter waves in vacuum and in
low pressure Helium using a method originally developed for neutron scattering
length measurements in neutron interferometry. We search for phase shifts
associated with a coupling to scalar fields. We set stringent limits for a
scalar chameleon field, a prominent quintessence dark energy candidate. We find
that the coupling constant is less than 1.9 ~for at
95\% confidence level, where is an input parameter of the self--interaction
of the chameleon field inversely proportional to .Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Ramsey's Method of Separated Oscillating Fields and its Application to Gravitationally Induced Quantum Phaseshifts
We propose to apply Ramsey's method of separated oscillating fields to the
spectroscopy of the quantum states in the gravity potential above a vertical
mirror. This method allows a precise measurement of quantum mechanical
phaseshifts of a Schr\"odinger wave packet bouncing off a hard surface in the
gravitational field of the earth. Measurements with ultra-cold neutrons will
offer a sensitivity to Newton's law or hypothetical short-ranged interactions,
which is about 21 orders of magnitude below the energy scale of
electromagnetism.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Comparison of ultracold neutron sources for fundamental physics measurements
Ultracold neutrons (UCNs) are key for precision studies of fundamental
parameters of the neutron and in searches for new CP violating processes or
exotic interactions beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The most
prominent example is the search for a permanent electric dipole moment of the
neutron (nEDM). We have performed an experimental comparison of the leading UCN
sources currently operating. We have used a 'standard' UCN storage bottle with
a volume of 32 liters, comparable in size to nEDM experiments, which allows us
to compare the UCN density available at a given beam port.Comment: 20 pages, 30 Figure
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