arXiv subjects

Larry R. Hunter

Publications and source records attributed to Larry R. Hunter.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

New Bounds on Exotic Long-Range Spin-Spin Interactions

Many proposed extensions to the Standard Model of particle physics introduce new bosons that can mediate forces which couple to particle spin. Here we describe a search for such forces coupling spin-polarized neutrons and protons in our magnetometer to spin-polarized electrons within Earth. We measure these interactions by varying the orientation of an optical $^{199}$Hg-$^{133}$Cs free-precession comagnetometer mounted upon a precision rotation platform. From these measurements, we establish upper bounds on the dimensionless coupling constants associated with the axial-axial potential $V_2$ and the axial-vector potential $V_{11}$ as a function of the force's range $\lambda$. For the electron-neutron and electron-proton potential $V_2$ at infinite range, we find $|g_A^eg_A^n| \leq 3.0 \times 10^{-48}$ and $|g_A^eg_A^p| \leq 3.0 \times 10^{-47}$. For $V_{11}$, we find our most stringent bounds to be $|g_A^eg_V^n| \leq 2.2 \times 10^{-25}$ and $|g_A^eg_V^p| \leq 2.2 \times 10^{-24}$ at $\lambda \approx 10^3$ km. Our results represent an improvement over previous results by up to a factor of 17 and set the most stringent bounds on long-range axial-axial and axial-vector couplings between electron spins and neutron and proton spins.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2024

Spherically symmetric Earth models yield no net electron spin

Terrestrial experiments that use electrons in Earth as a spin-polarized source have been demonstrated to provide strong bounds on exotic long-range spin-spin and spin-velocity interactions. These bounds constrain the coupling strength of many proposed ultralight bosonic dark-matter candidates. Recently, it was pointed out that a monopole-dipole coupling between the Sun and the spin-polarized electrons of Earth would result in a modification of the precession of the perihelion of Earth. Using an estimate for the net spin-polarization of Earth and experimental bounds on Earth's perihelion precession, interesting constraints were placed on the magnitude of this monopole-dipole coupling. Here we investigate the spin associated with Earth's electrons. We find that there are about $6 \times 10^{41}$ spin-polarized electrons in the mantle and crust of Earth oriented anti-parallel to their local magnetic field. However, when integrated over any spherically-symmetric Earth model, we find that the vector sum of these spins is zero. In order to establish a lower bound on the magnitude of the net spin along Earth's rotation axis we have investigated three of the largest breakdowns of Earth's spherical symmetry: the large low shear-velocity provinces of the mantle, the crustal composition, and the oblate spheroid of Earth. From these investigations we conclude that there are at least $5 \times 10^{38}$ spin-polarized electrons aligned anti-parallel to Earth's rotation axis. This analysis suggests that the bounds on the monopole-dipole coupling that were extracted from Earth's perihelion precession need to be relaxed by a factor of about 2000.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2023

Using Earth to Search for Long-Range Spin-Velocity Interactions

Precision measurements of the possible coupling of spin to other scalars, vectors and pseudovectors has proven to be a sensitive way to search for new particle physics beyond the standard model. Indeed, in addition to searching for exotic spin-spin interactions, studies have been undertaken to look for couplings of spin to gravity, the relative velocity between particles, and preferred directions. Several laboratory experiments have established upper bounds on the energy associated with various fermion spin-orientations relative to Earth. Here, we combine these results with a model of Earth in order to investigate the possible long-range spin-velocity interactions associated with the exchange of ultralight ($m_{z'}<1$ neV) or massless scalar or vector bosons. We establish stringent bounds on the strength of these couplings between electrons, neutrons, protons and nucleons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Measurement of the molecular dipole moment and the hyperfine and $Λ$-doublet splittings of the $B^3Π_1$ state of thallium fluoride

We report high-precision measurements on the thallium fluoride $\tilde{J} = 1$ hyperfine manifold of the $B^3Π_1$ ($ν= 0$) state. This state is of special interest because it is central to an optical cycling scheme that is envisioned to play an important role in enhancing the sensitivity of the CeNTREX nuclear Schiff-moment experiment presently under construction. The measurements are made by monitoring the fluorescence induced by narrow-band laser excitation of a cryogenic molecular beam. We use a multipass arrangement of the laser beam to enhance fluorescence. When viewed with a camera, we can spatially resolve images from adjacent passes that approach the molecules from opposing directions. These images yield a sensitive visual method to identify the central frequency of a transition. Coupling these line-center determinations with frequency calibration from an acousto-optic modulator has allowed a more precise determination of the $\tilde{J} = 1$ manifold of hyperfine level splittings. We observe Stark shifts of the $\tilde{J} = 1$ levels and infer a permanent electric dipole moment of 2.28(7) D and $Λ$-doublet splittings for the $F_1' = 1/2$ and $F_1' = 3/2$ manifolds of 14.4(9) MHz and 17.4(11) MHz, respectively.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Hyperfine Structure of the $B^3Π_1$ State and Predictions of Optical Cycling Behavior in the $X\rightarrow B$ transition of TlF

The rotational and hyperfine spectrum of the $X^1Σ^+ \rightarrow B^3Π_1$ transition in TlF molecules was measured using laser-induced fluorescence from both a thermal and a cryogenic molecular beam. Rotational and hyperfine constants for the $B$ state are obtained. The large magnetic hyperfine interaction of the Tl nuclear spin leads to significant mixing of the lowest $B$ state rotational levels. Updated, more precise measurements of the $B\rightarrow X$ vibrational branching fractions are also presented. The combined rovibrational branching fractions allow for the prediction of the number of photons that can be scattered in a given TlF optical cycling scheme.

physics.atom-ph↗