Title: Experimental limit on an exotic parity-odd spin- and velocity-dependent interaction using an optically polarized vapor

Abstract

Abstract Exotic spin-dependent interactions between fermions have recently attracted attention in relation to theories beyond the Standard Model. The exotic interactions can be mediated by hypothetical fundamental bosons which may explain several unsolved mysteries in physics. Here we expand this area of research by probing an exotic parity-odd spin- and velocity-dependent interaction between the axial-vector electron coupling and the vector nucleon coupling for polarized electrons. This experiment utilizes a high-sensitivity atomic magnetometer, based on an optically polarized vapor that is a source of polarized electrons, and a solid-state mass containing unpolarized nucleons. The atomic magnetometer can detect an effective magnetic field induced by the exotic interaction between unpolarized nucleons and polarized electrons. We set an experimental limit on the electron-nucleon coupling $$$$g_{\mathrm{A}}^{\mathrm{e}}g_{\mathrm{V}}^{\mathrm{N}} \, < \, 10^{ - 30}$$$$ $g_A^e{g}_V^N<10^{-30}$ at the mediator boson mass below 10 ⁻⁴  eV, significantly improving the current limit by up to 17 orders of magnitude.

Authors:

Kim, Young Jin ;

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Chu, Ping-Han; Savukov, Igor; Newman, Shaun

Publication Date:

Tue May 21 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

OSTI Identifier:

1619515

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1557762

Report Number(s):

LA-UR-19-20817
Journal ID: ISSN 2041-1723; 2245; PII: 10169

Grant/Contract Number:  

89233218CNA000001

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Nature Communications

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Nature Communications Journal Volume: 10 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:

Nature Publishing Group

Country of Publication:

United Kingdom

Language:

English

Subject:

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; Atomic; Nuclear and Particle Physics