arXiv subjects

I. M. Savukov

Publications and source records attributed to I. M. Savukov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Search for exotic spin-dependent interactions using polarized helium

We investigate the sensitivities of searches for exotic spin-dependent interactions between the polarized nuclear spins of $^3$He and the particles of unpolarized or polarized solid-state masses using the frequency method and the resonance method. In the frequency method, the spin-dependent interactions act as an effective static magnetic field, causing the frequency shift to the spin precession of $^{3}$He. In the resonance method, proposed by Arvanitaki and Geraci [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 161801 (2014)] for the significant improvement of the experimental sensitivities on the spin-dependent interactions, the mass movement is modulated at the Larmor frequency of $^3$He. This results in the modulating spin-dependent interactions inducing an effective oscillatory magnetic field, which can tilt the $^3$He spins, similarly as an oscillatory magnetic field in nuclear magnetic resonance. We estimate the sensitivities of the searches using a room-temperature $^3$He target for its extremely long relaxation time. New limits on the coupling strengths of the spin-dependent interactions can be set in the interaction length range below $10^{-1}$ m.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2018

Sensitivity of Proposed Search for Axion-induced Magnetic Field using Optically Pumped Magnetometers

We investigate a search for the oscillating current induced by axion dark matter in an external magnetic field using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs). This experiment is based upon the LC circuit axion detection concept of Sikivie, Sullivan, and Tanner. The modification of Maxwell's equations caused by the axion-photon coupling results in a minute oscillating magnetic field at the frequency equal to the axion mass in the presence of magnetic field. This induced magnetic field could be searched for using an LC circuit amplifier with an OPM, the most sensitive cryogen-free magnetic-field sensor, in a room temperature experiment, avoiding the need for a complicated and expensive cryogenic system. We discuss how an existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiment can be modified to search for axions in a previously unexplored part of the parameter space. Our existing detection setup, optimized for MRI, is already sensitive to an axion-photon coupling of $10^{-7}$ GeV$^{-1}$ for an axion mass near $3\times10^{-10}$ eV. While this is ruled out by limits from astrophysics and solar axion searches, we show that realistic modifications, and optimization of the experiment for axion detection, can set a new limit on the axion-photon coupling up to three orders of magnitude beyond the current best limit, for axion masses between $10^{-11}$ eV and $10^{-7}$ eV.ion masses between $10^{-11}$ eV and $10^{-7}$ eV.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2017

Parametrical CI+MBPT calculations of Th I energies and $g$-factors for even states

In this paper, we study energies and $g$-factors for a large number of levels of Th I. We found that the accuracy of CI-MBPT can be substantially improved by using multiple adjustment parameters, which are introduced to regulate the second-order MBPT corrections for single valence energies and Coulomb interaction. The results for energies and $g$-factors are in excellent agreement with experiment, with accuracy sufficient to positively assign theoretical states of given angular momentum and parity to experimental levels. This theory will be further developed in the future to treat other, even more complicated actinides such as U I.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

Search for exotic spin-dependent interactions with a spin-exchange relaxation-free magnetometer

We propose a novel experimental approach to explore exotic spin-dependent interactions using a spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) magnetometer, the most sensitive non-cryogenic magnetic-field sensor. This approach studies the interactions between optically polarized electron spins located inside a vapor cell of the SERF magnetometer and unpolarized or polarized particles of external solid-state objects. The coupling of spin-dependent interactions to the polarized electron spins of the magnetometer induces the tilt of the electron spins, which can be detected with high sensitivity by a probe laser beam similarly as an external magnetic field. We estimate that by moving unpolarized or polarized objects next to the SERF Rb vapor cell, the experimental limit to the spin-dependent interactions can be significantly improved over existing experiments, and new limits on the coupling strengths can be set in the interaction range below 0.01 m.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2014

CI-RMBPT calculations of photoionization cross sections from quasi-continuum oscillator strengths

Many applications are in need of accurate photoionization cross-sections, especially in the case of complex atoms. Configuration-interaction relativistic many-body perturbation theory (CI-RMBPT) that has been successful in predicting atomic energies, matrix elements between discrete states, and other properties is quite promising, but it has not been applied to photo-ionization problems owing to extra complications arising from continuum states. In this paper a method that will allow the conversion of discrete CI-(R)MPBT oscillator strengths (OS) to photo-ionization cross sections with minimal modifications of the codes is introduced and CI-RMBPT cross sections of Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe are calculated. A consistent agreement with experiment is found. RMBPT corrections are particularly significant for Ar, Kr, and Xe and improve agreement with experiment compared to the particle-hole CI method. The demonstrated conversion method can be applied to CI-RMBPT photo-ionization calculations for a large number of multi-valence atoms and ions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2010

Microtesla MRI with dynamic nuclear polarization

Magnetic resonance imaging at microtesla fields is a promising imaging method that combines the pre-polarization technique and broadband signal reception by SQUID sensors to enable in vivo MRI at microtesla-range magnetic fields. Despite significant advances, the potential of microtesla MRI for biomedical imaging is limited by its insufficient signal-to-noise ratio due to a relatively low sample polarization. Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a widely used approach that allows polarization enhancement by two-four orders of magnitude without an increase in the polarizing field strength. In this work, the first implementation of microtesla MRI with Overhauser DNP and SQUID signal detection is described. The first measurements of carbon-13 NMR spectra at microtesla fields are also reported. The experiments were performed at the measurement field of 96 microtesla with Overhauser enhancement at 3.5 - 5.7 mT field. The Overhauser DNP enabled nuclear polarization enhancement by factor as high as -95 for protons and as high as -200 for carbon-13, corresponding to thermal polarizations at 0.33 T and 1.1 T fields, respectively. These results demonstrate that SQUID-based microtesla MRI can be naturally combined with Overhauser DNP in one system, and that its signal-to-noise performance is greatly improved in this case. They also suggest that microtesla MRI can become an efficient tool for in vivo imaging of hyperpolarized carbon-13, produced by the low-temperature dissolution DNP.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2009

A Low-Noise High-Density Alkali Metal Scalar Magnetometer

We present an experimental and theoretical study of a scalar atomic magnetometer using an oscillating field-driven Zeeman resonance in a high-density optically-pumped potassium vapor. We describe an experimental implementation of an atomic gradiometer with a noise level below 10 fT/Hz^{1/2}, fractional field sensitivity below 10^{-9}/Hz^{1/2}, and an active measurement volume of about 1.5 cm^3. We show that the fundamental field sensitivity of a scalar magnetometer is determined by the rate of alkali-metal spin-exchange collisions even though the resonance linewidth can be made much smaller than the spin-exchange rate by pumping most atoms into a stretched spin state.

physics.atm-clus↗

arXiv2008

SQUID-based microtesla MRI for in vivo relaxometry of the human brain

SQUID-based MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) at microtesla fields has developed significantly over the past few years. Here we describe application of this method for magnetic relaxation measurements in the living human brain. We report values of the longitudinal relaxation time T1 for brain tissues, measured in vivo for the first time at microtesla fields. The experiments were performed at 46 microtesla field using a seven-channel SQUID system designed for microtesla MRI and MEG. Values of T1, measured for different tissues at this field, are found to be close (within 5%) to the corresponding values of the transverse relaxation time T2 at the same field. Implications of this result for imaging contrast in microtesla MRI are discussed.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2008

Microtesla MRI of the human brain combined with MEG

One of the challenges in functional brain imaging is integration of complementary imaging modalities, such as magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). MEG, which uses highly sensitive superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) to directly measure magnetic fields of neuronal currents, cannot be combined with conventional high-field MRI in a single instrument. Indirect matching of MEG and MRI data leads to significant co-registration errors. A recently proposed imaging method - SQUID-based microtesla MRI - can be naturally combined with MEG in the same system to directly provide structural maps for MEG-localized sources. It enables easy and accurate integration of MEG and MRI/fMRI, because microtesla MR images can be precisely matched to structural images provided by high-field MRI and other techniques. Here we report the first images of the human brain by microtesla MRI, together with auditory MEG (functional) data, recorded using the same seven-channel SQUID system during the same imaging session. The images were acquired at 46 microtesla measurement field with pre-polarization at 30 mT. We also estimated transverse relaxation times for different tissues at microtesla fields. Our results demonstrate feasibility and potential of human brain imaging by microtesla MRI. They also show that two new types of imaging equipment - low-cost systems for anatomical MRI of the human brain at microtesla fields, and more advanced instruments for combined functional (MEG) and structural (microtesla MRI) brain imaging - are practical.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2007

Many-body calculations of relativistic energy shifts for single- and double-valence atoms

Relativistic Hartree-Fock method together with many-body perturbation theory and configuration interaction techniques are used to calculate relativistic energy shifts for frequencies of the strong electric dipole transitions of C III, C IV, Na I, Mg I, Mg II, Al II, Al III, Si IV, Ca II and Zn II. These transitions are used for search of the variation of the fine structure constant in quasar absorption spectra. The results are in good agreement with previous calculations. The analysis of Breit contributions is also presented.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2007

Spin-exchange relaxation free magnetometry with Cs vapor

We describe a Cs atomic magnetometer operating in the spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) regime. With a vapor cell temperature of $103^\circ\rm{C}$ we achieve intrinsic magnetic resonance widths $ΔB=17 {\rm μG}$ corresponding to an electron spin-relaxation rate of $300 {\rm s^{-1}}$ when the spin-exchange rate is $Γ_{SE}=14000 {\rm s^{-1}}$. We also observe an interesting narrowing effect due to diffusion. Signal-to-noise measurements yield a sensitivity of about $400\thinspace{\rm pG/\sqrt{Hz}}$. Based on photon shot noise, we project a sensitivity of $40 {\rm pG/\sqrt{Hz}}$. A theoretical optimization of the magnetometer indicates sensitivities on the order of $2 {\rm pG/\sqrt{Hz}}$ should be achievable in a $1 {\rm cm^3}$ volume. Because Cs has a higher saturated vapor pressure than other alkali metals, SERF magnetometers using Cs atoms are particularly attractive in applications requiring lower temperatures.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2006

Detection of NMR signals with a radio-frequency atomic magnetometer

We demonstrate detection of proton NMR signals with a radio frequency atomic magnetometer tuned to the NMR frequency of 62 kHz. High-frequency operation of the atomic magnetometer makes it relatively insensitive to ambient magnetic field noise. We obtain magnetic field sensitivity of 7 fT/Hz$^{1/2}$ using only a thin aluminum shield. We also derive an expression for the fundamental sensitivity limit of a surface inductive pick-up coil as a function of frequency and find that an atomic rf magnetometer is intrinsically more sensitive than a coil of comparable size for frequencies below about 50 MHz.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2005

A simple method for obtaining electron scattering phase shifts from energies of an atom in a cavity

We present a simple method for obtaining elastic scattering phase shifts and cross sections from energies of atoms or ions in cavities. This method does not require calculations of wavefunctions of continuum states, is very general, and is extremely convenient from practical point of view: some conventional computer codes designed for the energies of bound states can be used without modifications. The application of the method is illustrated on an example of electron scattering from Kr and Ar. From Brueckner orbital energies in variable cavities, we have obtained ab initio cross sections that are in close agreement with experiment. The relativistic effects are also considered and found to be small below 10 eV.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2005

Non-linear amplification of small spin precession using long range dipolar interactions

In measurements of small signals using spin precession the precession angle usually grows linearly in time. We show that non-linear interactions between particles can lead to an exponentially growing spin precession angle, resulting in an amplification of small signals and raising them above the noise level of a detection system. We demonstrate amplification by a factor of greater than 8 of a spin precession signal due to a small magnetic field gradient in a spherical cell filled with hyperpolarized liquid $^{129}$Xe. This technique can improve the sensitivity in many measurements that are limited by the noise of the detection system, rather then the fundamental spin-projection noise.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2005

Calculations of liquid helium and neon VUV emission spectra, self-absorption and scattering for a neutrino detector

To evaluate the feasibility of the recently proposed detection scheme of low energy neutrinos released from the Sun and supernovae called CLEAN, Cryogenic Low Energy Astrophysics with Noble Gases, which relies on the transparency of noble-gas cryogenic liquids to VUV radiation produced by neutrinos, we analyze theoretically VUV emission, self-absorption, and scattering of liquid helium and neon, primary candidates for CLEAN. Owing to strong repulsion of noble-gas atoms in the ground states at the equilibrium distance of the relevant excited state, the emission spectrum is substantially shifted from the absorption spectrum, and in principle the absorption is expected very small, allowing building large detectors. Our analysis, however, shows that the self-absorption and Rayleigh scattering are comparable to the size of the proposed detector. Our theoretical emission spectra are found in agreement with experimental observations although some deviation exists due to binary-interaction approximation, and our ab initio Rayleigh scattering lengths are found in agreement with other calculations based on the extrapolation of experimental refraction indices. The absorption process can result in either re-emission, which conserves the number of photons but delays their escape from the liquid, or in non-radiative quenching.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2004

NMR detection with an atomic magnetometer

We demonstrate detection of NMR signals using a non-cryogenic atomic magnetometer and describe several novel applications of this technique. A water free induction decay (FID) signal in a 0.5 $μ$T field is detected using a spin-exchange-relaxation-free K magnetometer and the possibility of using a multi-channel magnetometer for 3-D MRI requiring only a single FID signal is described. We also demonstrate detection of less than $10^{13}$ $^{129}$Xe atoms whose NMR signal is enhanced by a factor of 540 due to Fermi-contact interaction with K atoms. This technique allows detection of less than $10^{9}$ $^{129}$Xe spins in a flowing system suitable for remote NMR applications.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Third-order relativistic many-body calculations of energies and lifetimes of levels along the silver isoelectronic sequence

Energies of 5l_j (l= s, p, d, f, g) and 4f_j states in neutral Ag and Ag-like ions with nuclear charges Z = 48 - 100 are calculated using relativistic many-body perturbation theory. Reduced matrix elements, oscillator strengths, transition rates and lifetimes are calculated for the 17 possible 5l_j-5l'_{j'} and 4f_j-5l_{j'} electric-dipole transitions. Third-order corrections to energies and dipole matrix elements are included for neutral Ag and for ions with Z<61. Second-order corrections are included for Z>60. Comparisons are made with available experimental data for transition energies and lifetimes. Correlation energies and transition rates are shown graphically as functions of nuclear charge Z for selected cases. These calculations provide a theoretical benchmark for comparison with experiment and theory.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Theoretical energies and transition probabilities of argon

Argon energies of J=1 odd and J=2 even states, oscillator strengths of the two lowest J=1 odd states, and line strengths for transitions between J=1 odd and J=2 even excited states are calculated with the CI+MBPT method. The results are in good agreement with experiment.

physics.atom-ph↗