Effect of {alpha} variation on a prospective experiment to detect variation of m{sub e}/m{sub p} in diatomic molecules
- Centre for Theoretical Chemistry and Physics, New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study, Massey University, Auckland 0745 (New Zealand)
We consider the influence of variation in the fine structure constant {alpha} on a promising experiment proposed by DeMille et al. to search for variation in the electron-to-proton mass ratio {mu} using diatomic molecules [DeMille et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 043202 (2008)]. The proposed experiment involves spectroscopically probing the splitting between two nearly degenerate vibrational levels supported by different electronic potentials. Here we demonstrate that this splitting may be equally or more sensitive to variation in {alpha} as to variation in {mu}. For the anticipated experimental precision, this implies that the {alpha} variation may not be negligible, as previously assumed, and further suggests that the method could serve as a competitive means to search for {alpha} variation as well.
- OSTI ID:
- 22080333
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Vol. 84, Issue 4; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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