Enhanced Sensitivity to the Time Variation of the Fine-Structure Constant and m{sub p}/m{sub e} in Diatomic Molecules

Journal Article · Fri Oct 12 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.99.150801· OSTI ID:21024255

Flambaum, V V ^[1]; Kozlov, M G ^[2]

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1. School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052 (Australia)
2. Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, 188300 (Russian Federation)

Sensitivity to temporal variation of the fundamental constants may be strongly enhanced in transitions between narrow close levels of different nature. This enhancement may be realized in a large number of molecules due to cancellation between the ground state fine-structure {omega}{sub f} and vibrational interval {omega}{sub v} [{omega}={omega}{sub f}-n{omega}{sub v}{approx_equal}0, {delta}{omega}/{omega}=K(2{delta}{alpha}/{alpha}+0.5{delta}{mu}/{mu}), K>>1, {mu}=m{sub p}/m{sub e}]. The intervals between the levels are conveniently located in microwave frequency range and the level widths are very small. Required accuracy of the shift measurements is about 0.01-1 Hz. As examples, we consider molecules Cl{sup +}{sub 2}, CuS, IrC, SiBr, and HfF{sup +}.

• OSTI ID: 21024255
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 99; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ACCURACY
CHLORINE IONS
COPPER SULFIDES
FINE STRUCTURE
FREQUENCY RANGE
FUNDAMENTAL CONSTANTS
GROUND STATES
HAFNIUM FLUORIDES
IRIDIUM CARBIDES
LEVEL WIDTHS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
MOLECULAR IONS
MOLECULES
SENSITIVITY
SILICON BROMIDES
VARIATIONS