arXiv subjects

Gerald Gabrielse

Publications and source records attributed to Gerald Gabrielse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Measured Lepton Magnetic Moments

The electron and muon magnetic moments have played, and continue to play, important roles in testing the fundamental mathematical description of physical reality called the Standard Model of particle physics (SM). The electron magnetic moment is the most precisely measured property of an elementary particle and the most precise SM prediction, setting up the most precise confrontation ever between experiment and theory. It enables the most precise test of quantum field theory, and of the fundamental CPT symmetry invariance of the SM with leptons. The stable electron is studied with quantum methods while the electron remains for months in its quantum ground and first excited states. The muon magnetic moment is one of the most precisely measured property of an unstable elementary particle. Although less precise measured than the electron, it provides greater sensitivity to physics beyond the Standard Model -- a powerful tool for testing the existence of new particles and forces. Because muons decay quickly, they must be studied as they orbit at nearly the speed of light in a large storage ring. The extremely high precision of the electron and muon magnetic moment measurements has driven major advances in theoretical physics, inspiring new techniques in quantum field theory, precision calculations, and lattice gauge theory. Only experimental limits currently exist on the size of the magnetic moments of the tau and neutrino leptons.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2025

A cryogenic buffer gas beam source with in-situ ablation target replacement

The design and performance of a cryogenic buffer gas beam (CBGB) source with a load-lock system is presented. The ACME III electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) search experiment uses this source to produce a beam of cold, slow thorium monoxide (ThO) molecules. A key feature of the apparatus is its capability to replace ablation targets without interrupting vacuum or cryogenic conditions, increasing the average signal in the eEDM search. The source produces approximately $1.3 \times 10^{11}$ ground-state ThO molecules per pulse, with a rotational temperature of $4.8$ K, molecular beam solid angle of $0.31$ sr, and forward velocity of $200$ m/s. These parameters match the performance of traditional sources that require time-consuming thermal cycles for target replacement. A long-term yield improvement of about 40% is achieved when the load-lock system is used to replace targets biweekly.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Demonstration that Differential Length Changes of Optical Cavities are a Sensitive Probe for Ultralight Dark Matter

Measurements of differential length oscillations of Fabry-Perot cavities provide a sensitive and promising approach to searching for scalar ultralight dark matter (ULDM). The initial demonstration sets direct lower bounds that are one to two orders of magnitude lower for two model ULDM distributions -- a standard galactic halo and a relaxion star bound to Earth -- ranging over a decade of ULDM mass and Compton frequency. The demonstration suggests how a much higher sensitivity to a much larger ULDM mass range can be obtained.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2024

Highly Excited Electron Cyclotron for QCD Axion and Dark-Photon Detection

We propose using highly excited cyclotron states of a trapped electron to detect meV axion and dark photon dark matter, marking a significant improvement over our previous proposal and demonstration [Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 261801]. When the axion mass matches the cyclotron frequency $\omega_c$, the cyclotron state is resonantly excited, with a transition probability proportional to its initial quantum number, $n_c$. The sensitivity is enhanced by taking $n_c \sim 10^6 \left( \frac{0.1~\text{meV}}{\omega_c} \right)^2$. By optimizing key experimental parameters, we minimize the required averaging time for cyclotron detection to $t_{\text{ave}} \sim 10^{-6} $ seconds, permitting detection of such a highly excited state before its decay. An open-endcap trap design enables the external photon signal to be directed into the trap, rendering our background-free detector compatible with large focusing cavities, such as the BREAD proposal, while capitalizing on their strong magnetic fields. Furthermore, the axion conversion rate can be coherently enhanced by incorporating layers of dielectrics with alternating refractive indices within the cavity. Collectively, these optimizations enable us to probe the QCD axion parameter space from 0.1 meV to 2.3 meV (25-560 GHz), covering a substantial portion of the predicted post-inflationary QCD axion mass range. This sensitivity corresponds to probing the kinetic mixing parameter of the dark photon down to $\epsilon \approx 2 \times 10^{-16}$.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

High-sensitivity low-noise photodetector using large-area silicon photomultiplier

The application of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology for weak-light detection at a single photon level has expanded thanks to its better photon detection efficiency in comparison to a conventional photomultiplier tube (PMT). SiPMs with large detection area have recently become commercially available, enabling applications where the photon flux is low both temporarily and spatially. On the other hand, several drawbacks exist in the usage of SiPMs such as a higher dark count rate, many readout channels, slow response time, and optical crosstalk; therefore, users need to carefully consider the trade-offs. This work presents a SiPM-embedded compact large-area photon detection module. Various techniques are adopted to overcome the disadvantages of SiPMs so that it can be generally utilized as an upgrade from a PMT. A simple cooling component and recently developed optical crosstalk suppression method are adopted to reduce the noise which is more serious for larger-area SiPMs. A dedicated readout circuit increases the response frequency and reduces the number of readout channels. We favorably compare this design with a conventional PMT and obtain both higher photon detection efficiency and larger-area acceptance.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2022

One-Electron Quantum Cyclotron as a Milli-eV Dark-Photon Detector

We propose using trapped electrons as high-$Q$ resonators for detecting meV dark photon dark matter. When the rest energy of the dark photon matches the energy splitting of the two lowest cyclotron levels, the first excited state of the electron cyclotron will be resonantly excited. A proof-of-principle measurement, carried out with one electron, demonstrates that the method is background-free over a 7.4 day search. It sets a limit on dark photon dark matter at 148 GHz (0.6 meV) that is around 75 times better than previous constraints. Dark photon dark matter in the 0.1-1 meV mass range (20-200 GHz) could likely be detected at a similar sensitivity in an apparatus designed for dark photon detection.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2022

Electrostatic focusing of cold and heavy molecules for the ACME electron EDM search

The current best upper limit for electron electric dipole moment (EDM), $|d_e|<1.1\times10^{-29}\,$e$\cdot$cm ($90$% confidence), was set by the ACME collaboration in 2018. The ACME experiment uses a spin-precession measurement in a cold beam of ThO molecules to detect $d_e$. An improvement in statistical uncertainty would be possible with more efficient use of molecules from the cryogenic buffer gas beam source. Here, we demonstrate electrostatic focusing of the ThO beam with a hexapole lens. This results in a factor of $16$ enhancement in the molecular flux detectable downstream, in a beamline similar to that built for the next generation of ACME. We also demonstrate an upgraded rotational cooling scheme that increases the ground state population by $3.5$ times compared to no cooling, consistent with expectations and a factor of $1.4$ larger than previously in ACME. When combined with other demonstrated improvements, we project over an order of magnitude improvement in statistical sensitivity for the next generation ACME electron EDM search.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

Measurement of the H$^3\Delta_1$ Radiative Lifetime in ThO

The best limit on the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) comes from the ACME II experiment [Nature \textbf{562} (2018), 355-360] which probes physics beyond the Standard Model at energy scales well above 1 TeV. ACME II measured the eEDM by monitoring electron spin precession in a cold beam of the metastable H$^3\Delta_1$ state of thorium monoxide (ThO) molecules, with an observation time $\tau \approx 1$ ms for each molecule. We report here a new measurement of the lifetime of the ThO (H$^3\Delta_1$) state, $\tau_H = 4.2\pm 0.5$ ms. Using an apparatus within which $\tau \approx \tau_H$ will enable a substantial reduction in uncertainty of an eEDM measurement.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

Electric dipole moments and the search for new physics

Static electric dipole moments of nondegenerate systems probe mass scales for physics beyond the Standard Model well beyond those reached directly at high energy colliders. Discrimination between different physics models, however, requires complementary searches in atomic-molecular-and-optical, nuclear and particle physics. In this report, we discuss the current status and prospects in the near future for a compelling suite of such experiments, along with developments needed in the encompassing theoretical framework.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Simple Self-calibrating Polarimeter for Measuring the Stokes Parameters of Light

A simple, self-calibrating, rotating-waveplate polarimeter is largely insensitive to light intensity fluctuations and is shown to be useful for determining the Stokes parameters of light. This study shows how to minimize the in situ self-calibration time, the measurement time and the measurement uncertainty. The suggested methods are applied to measurements of spatial variations in the linear and circular polarizations of laser light passing through glass plates with a laser intensity dependent birefringence. These are crucial measurements for the ACME electron electric dipole measurements, requiring accuracies in circular and linear polarization fraction of about 0.1% and 0.4%, with laser intensities up to 100 $\text{mW/mm}^2$ incident into the polarimeter.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

Suppression of the optical crosstalk in a multi-channel silicon photomultiplier array

We propose and study a method of optical crosstalk suppression for silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) using optical filters. We demonstrate that attaching absorptive visible bandpass filters to the SiPM can substantially reduce the optical crosstalk. Measurements suggest that the absorption of near infrared light is important to achieve this suppression. The proposed technique can be easily applied to suppress the optical crosstalk in SiPMs in cases where filtering near infrared light is compatible with the application.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2020

Driven One-Particle Quantum Cyclotron

A quantum cyclotron is one trapped electron or positron that occupies only its lowest cyclotron and spin states. A master equation is solved for a driven quantum cyclotron with a QND (quantum nondemolition) coupling to a detection oscillator in thermal equilibrium - the first quantum calculation for this coupled and open system. The predicted rate of cyclotron and spin quantum jumps as a function of drive frequency, for a small coupling between the detection motion and its thermal reservoir, differs sharply from what has been predicted and used for past measurements. The calculation suggests a ten times more precise electron magnetic moment measurement is possible, as needed to investigate current differences between the most precise prediction of the standard model of particle physics, and the most accurate measurement of a property of an elementary particle.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2020

Circumventing Detector Backaction on a Quantum Cyclotron

Detector backaction can be completely evaded when the state of a one-electron quantum cyclotron is detected, but it nonetheless significantly broadens the quantum-jump resonance lineshapes from which the cyclotron frequency can be deduced. This limits the accuracy with which the electron magnetic moment can be determined to test the standard model's most precise prediction. A steady state solution to a master equation, the first quantum calculation for the open quantum cyclotron system, illustrates a method to circumvent the detection backaction upon the measured frequency.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

The metastable Q $^3\Delta_2$ state of ThO: A new resource for the ACME electron EDM search

The best upper limit for the electron electric dipole moment was recently set by the ACME collaboration. This experiment measures an electron spin-precession in a cold beam of ThO molecules in their metastable $H~(^3\Delta_1)$ state. Improvement in the statistical and systematic uncertainties is possible with more efficient use of molecules from the source and better magnetometry in the experiment, respectively. Here, we report measurements of several relevant properties of the long-lived $Q~(^3\Delta_2)$ state of ThO, and show that this state is a very useful resource for both these purposes. The $Q$ state lifetime is long enough that its decay during the time of flight in the ACME beam experiment is negligible. The large electric dipole moment measured for the $Q$ state, giving rise to a large linear Stark shift, is ideal for an electrostatic lens that increases the fraction of molecules detected downstream. The measured magnetic moment of the $Q$ state is also large enough to be used as a sensitive co-magnetometer in ACME. Finally, we show that the $Q$ state has a large transition dipole moment to the $C~(^1\Pi_1)$ state, which allows for efficient population transfer between the ground state $X~(^1\Sigma^+)$ and the $Q$ state via $X-C-Q$ Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage (STIRAP). We demonstrate $90\,$% STIRAP transfer efficiency. In the course of these measurements, we also determine the magnetic moment of $C$ state, the $X\rightarrow C$ transition dipole moment, and branching ratios of decays from the $C$ state.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

Roadmap on STIRAP applications

STIRAP (Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage) is a powerful laser-based method, usually involving two photons, for efficient and selective transfer of population between quantum states. A particularly interesting feature is the fact that the coupling between the initial and the final quantum states is via an intermediate state even though the lifetime of the latter can be much shorter than the interaction time with the laser radiation. Nevertheless, spontaneous emission from the intermediate state is prevented by quantum interference. Maintaining the coherence between the initial and final state throughout the transfer process is crucial. STIRAP was initially developed with applications in chemical dynamics in mind. That is why the original paper of 1990 was published in The Journal of Chemical Physics. However, as of about the year 2000, the unique capabilities of STIRAP and its robustness with respect to small variations of some experimental parameters stimulated many researchers to apply the scheme in a variety of other fields of physics. The successes of these efforts are documented in this collection of articles.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Quantum Sensing for High Energy Physics

Report of the first workshop to identify approaches and techniques in the domain of quantum sensing that can be utilized by future High Energy Physics applications to further the scientific goals of High Energy Physics.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2016

Methods, Analysis, and the Treatment of Systematic Errors for the Electron Electric Dipole Moment Search in Thorium Monoxide

We recently set a new limit on the electric dipole moment of the electron (eEDM) (J. Baron et al., ACME collaboration, Science 343 (2014), 269-272), which represented an order-of-magnitude improvement on the previous limit and placed more stringent constraints on many CP-violating extensions to the Standard Model. In this paper we discuss the measurement in detail. The experimental method and associated apparatus are described, together with the techniques used to isolate the eEDM signal. In particular, we detail the way experimental switches were used to suppress effects that can mimic the signal of interest. The methods used to search for systematic errors, and models explaining observed systematic errors, are also described. We briefly discuss possible improvements to the experiment.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

An Underappreciated Radiation Hazard from High Voltage Electrodes in Vacuum

The use of high voltage (HV) electrodes in vacuum is commonplace in physics laboratories. In such systems, it has long been known that electron emission from an HV cathode can lead to bremsstrahlung X-rays; indeed, this is the basic principle behind the operation of standard X-ray sources. However, in laboratory setups where X-ray production is not the goal and no electron source is deliberately introduced, field-emitted electrons accelerated by HV can produce X-rays as an unintended hazardous byproduct. Both the level of hazard and the safe operating regimes for HV vacuum electrode systems are not widely appreciated, at least in university laboratories. A reinforced awareness of the radiation hazards associated with vacuum HV setups would be beneficial. We present a case study of a HV vacuum electrode device operated in a university atomic physics laboratory. We describe the characterisation of the observed X-ray radiation, its relation to the observed leakage current in the device, the steps taken to contain and mitigate the radiation hazard, and suggest safety guidelines.

physics.med-ph↗