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arXiv · 0705.0849

Enhanced sensitivity to variation of the fine structure constant and m_p/m_e in diatomic molecules

V. V. Flambaum·M. G. Kozlov
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Abstract

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 cancelation between the ground state fine structure omega_f and vibrational interval omega_v (omega=omega_f - n omega_v is close to zero, delta omega/omega= K (2 delta alpha/alpha +0.5 delta mu/mu), K >>1, mu=m_p/m_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_2+, CuS, IrC, SiBr and HfF+.

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V. V. Flambaum, M. G. Kozlov. 2007-08-30. Enhanced sensitivity to variation of the fine structure constant and m_p/m_e in diatomic molecules. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.99.150801

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