arXiv subjects

S. Bickman

Publications and source records attributed to S. Bickman.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2008

Preparation and detection of states with simultaneous spin alignment and molecular orientation in PbO

We are pursuing an experiment to measure the electric dipole moment of the electron using the molecule PbO. This measurement requires the ability to prepare quantum states with orientation of the molecular axis and, simultaneously, alignment of the electron spin perpendicular to this axis. It also requires efficient detection of the evolution of the spin alignment direction within such a state. We describe a series of experiments that have achieved these goals, and the features and limitations of the techniques. We also discuss possible new approaches for improved efficiency in this and similar systems.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2005

Large-Area, Low-Noise, High Speed, Photodiode-Based Fluorescence Detectors with Fast Overdrive Recovery

Two large-area, low noise, high speed fluorescence detectors have been built. One detector consists of a photodiode with an area of 28 mm x 28 mm and a low noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has a input light-equivalent spectral noise density of less than 3 pW/Hz^1/2, can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10 us, and has a bandwidth of at least 900 kHz. The second detector consists of a 16 mm diameter avalanche photodiode and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has an input light-equivalent spectral noise density of 0.08 pW/Hz^1/2, also can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10 us, and has a bandwidth of 1 MHz.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2005

Stark-modulation spectroscopy of the B(1)$[^3Π]$ state of PbO

We report detailed spectroscopic measurements of the X(0)$[^3Σ^+]$(v=0) to B(1)$[^3Π]$ (v=5) transition in PbO. Using a Stark-modulated laser absorption technique, we have measured the hyperfine constant of $^{207}$PbO in the B(1) state, as well as B(1)(v=5) rotational constant, X-B isotope shifts, etc. The hyperfine structure of the B(1) state is of interest as a benchmark for calculations of PbO electronic structure, related to experiments to search for the electric dipole moment of the electron.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2003

Proof of principle for a high sensitivity search for the electric dipole moment of the electron using the metastable a(1)[^3Σ^+] state of PbO

The metastable a(1)[^3Σ^+] state of PbO has been suggested as a suitable system in which to search for the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the electron. We report here the development of experimental techniques allowing high-sensitivity measurements of Zeeman and Stark effects in this system, similar to those required for an EDM search. We observe Zeeman quantum beats in fluorescence from a vapor cell, with shot-noise limited extraction of the quantum beat frequencies, high counting rates, and long coherence times. We argue that improvement in sensitvity to the electron EDM by at least two orders of magnitude appears possible using these techniques.

hep-ex↗