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arXiv · 1807.04248

Optical Pumping of TeH+: Implications for the Search for Varying mp/me

Patrick Stollenwerk·Mark G. Kokish·Antonio G. S. de Oliveira-Filho·Fernando R. Ornellas·Brian C. Odom
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Abstract

Molecular overtone transitions provide optical frequency transitions sensitive to variation in the proton-to-electron mass ratio ($\mu\equiv m_p/m_e$). However, robust molecular state preparation presents a challenge critical for achieving high precision. Here, we characterize infrared and optical-frequency broadband laser cooling schemes for TeH$^+$, a species with multiple electronic transitions amenable to sustained laser control. Using rate equations to simulate laser cooling population dynamics, we estimate the fractional sensitivity to $\mu$ attainable using TeH$^+$. We find that laser cooling of TeH$^+$ can lead to significant improvements on current $\mu$ variation limits.

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Patrick Stollenwerk, Mark G. Kokish, Antonio G. S. de Oliveira-Filho, Fernando R. Ornellas, Brian C. Odom. 2018-07-11. Optical Pumping of TeH+: Implications for the Search for Varying mp/me. https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms6030053

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