arXiv subjects

Tim Sailer

Publications and source records attributed to Tim Sailer.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-precision Penning-trap spectroscopy of the ground-state spin structure of HD+

We present high-precision spectroscopy of the ground-state hyperfine structure of HD$^+$ at 4~T. We determine the bound-electron $g$ factor, $g_{e,\mathrm{bound}} = -2.002\,278\,540\,96(40)$, to a relative uncertainty of $2\times$10$^{-10}$, the most precise determination of a bound-electron $g$ factor of a molecular ion to date. The experimental value agrees with recently developed ab initio theory that now includes quantum-electrodynamical effects up to order $\alpha^5$ and has reduced the theoretical uncertainty by three orders of magnitude [O. Kullie \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. A 112 052813 (2025)]. In addition, we extract the scalar spin-spin interaction coefficients $E_4$~=~925\,395.758(41)$\,$kHz (electron-proton) and $E_5$~=~142\,287.821(22)$\,$kHz (electron-deuteron), which show a moderate tension with another state-of-the-art theoretical prediction [M. Haidar \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. A 106 042815 (2022)].

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2025

Testing inter-electronic interaction in lithium-like tin

Magnetic moments of bound-electron systems are a sensitive tool for testing fundamental interactions. $g$ factors of lithium-like ions have been rigorously studied in recent years, enabling insights into the relativistic inter-electronic effects. Here, we present the $g$-factor measurement of lithium-like tin, accurate to 0.5 parts per billion, as well as \textit{ab initio} theoretical calculations that include an advanced treatment of the inter-electronic interaction. We further improve the prediction by using the experimental result for the hydrogen-like tin $g$ factor, inferring from it the unknown higher-order QED effects. The observed agreement independently confirms the revised theory at a previously inaccessible high nuclear charge $Z$ of 50, where QED effects are significantly larger.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

Direct Bound-Electron $g$ factor Difference Measurement with Coupled Ions

The quantum electrodynamic (QED) description of light-and-matter interaction is one of the most fundamental theories of physics and has been shown to be in excellent agreement with experimental results. Specifically, measurements of the electronic magnetic moment (or $g$ factor) of highly charged ions (HCI) in Penning traps can provide a stringent probe for QED, testing the Standard model in the strongest electromagnetic fields. When studying the difference of isotopes, even the intricate effects stemming from the nucleus can be resolved and tested as, due to the identical electron configuration, many common QED contributions do not have to be considered. Experimentally however, this becomes quickly limited, particularly by the precision of the ion masses or the achievable magnetic field stability. Here we report on a novel measurement technique that overcomes both of these limitations by co-trapping two HCIs in a Penning trap and measuring the difference of their $g$ factors directly. The resulting correlation of magnetic field fluctuations leads to drastically higher precision. We use a dual Ramsey-type measurement scheme with the ions locked on a common magnetron orbit, separated by only a few hundred micrometres, to extract the coherent spin precession frequency difference. We have measured the isotopic shift of the bound electron $g$ factor of the neon isotopes of $^{20}$Ne$^{9+}$ and $^{22}$Ne$^{9+}$ to 0.56 parts-per-trillion ($5.6 \cdot 10^{-13}$) precision relative to their $g$ factors, which is an improvement of more than two orders of magnitude compared to state-of-the-art techniques. This resolves the QED contribution to the nuclear recoil for the very first time and accurately validates the corresponding theory. Furthermore, the agreement with theory allows setting constraints for a fifth-force, resulting from Higgs-portal-type dark-matter interactions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Tank-Circuit Assisted Coupling Method for Sympathetic Laser Cooling

We discuss the coupling of the motion of two ion species in separate Penning traps via a common tank circuit. The enhancement of the coupling assisted by the tank circuit is demonstrated by an avoided crossing behavior measurement of the motional modes of two coupled ions. We propose an intermittent laser cooling method for sympathetic cooling and provide a theoretical description. The technique enables tuning of the coupling strength between two ion species in separate traps and thus allows for efficient sympathetic cooling of an arbitrary type of single ion for high-precision Penning-trap experiments.

quant-ph↗