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V. V. Flambaum

Publications and source records attributed to V. V. Flambaum.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2023

Fluctuations of atomic energy levels due to axion dark matter

The amplitude of the pseudoscalar (axion) or scalar field fluctuates on a time scale of order of million field oscillation periods which is a typical coherence time in the virialized axion galactic dark matter halo model. This causes fluctuations of frequencies of atomic clocks on the same time scale. We show that this effect may be employed to search for the axion and scalar field dark matter with atomic and nuclear clocks. We re-purpose the results of the atomic clocks experiments comparing the variations of frequencies of hyperfine transitions in Rb and Cs atoms as well as in hydrogen atom vs cavity frequency fluctuations, and extract new limits on the axion coupling constant $f_a$ for masses in the range $2.4\times 10^{-17}\text{ eV}\lesssim m \lesssim 10^{-13}\text{ eV}$. We also show that similar energy shifts arise in the second-order perturbation theory with linear in the pseudoscalar field interaction. These shifts may be potentially measured with nuclear clocks based on the low-energy transition in $^{229}$Th nucleus. We propose a procedure which could, in principle, help determine the axion mass if the axion dark matter signal is present in experimental data sets.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Variation of the quadrupole hyperfine structure and nuclear radius due to an interaction with scalar and axion dark matter

Atomic spectroscopy is used to search for the space-time variation of fundamental constants which may be due to an interaction with scalar and pseudo-scalar (axion) dark matter. In this letter, we study the effects which are produced by the variation of the nuclear radius and electric quadrupole moment. The sensitivity of the electric quadrupole hyperfine structure to both the variation of the quark mass and the effects of dark matter exceeds that of the magnetic hyperfine structure by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Therefore, the measurement of the variation of the ratio of the electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole hyperfine constants is proposed. The sensitivity of the optical clock transitions in the Yb$^+$ ion to the variation of the nuclear radius allows us to extract, from experimental data, limits on the variation of the hadron and quark masses, the QCD parameter $θ$ and the interaction with axion and scalar dark matter.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Screening of electric field and nuclear EDM in non-stationary states of atoms and molecules

According to the Schiff theorem, an external electric field vanishes at atomic nucleus in a neutral atom in a stationary state, i.e. it is completely shielded by electrons. This makes a nuclear electric dipole moment (EDM) unobservable. We show that if atom or molecule is not in a stationary state (e.g. in a superposition of two stationary states), electric field on the nucleus is not zero and interaction with nuclear EDM does not vanish. In molecules this effect is enhanced by the ratio of nuclear mass to to electron mass, $M_n/m_e$ , since nuclei in a molecule are slow (compare to electrons) and do not provide efficient screening in a non-stationary environment. Electric field on the nucleus may also affect nuclear reactions.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2023

Calculation of hyperfine structure of erbium and fermium

A version of the configuration interaction method, which has been recently developed to deal with large number of valence electrons, has been used to calculate magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole hyperfine structure constants for a number of states of erbium and fermium. Calculations for fermium are done for extracting nuclear moments of Fm isotopes from recent and future measurements. Calculations for erbium, which has electronic structure similar to those of fermium, are done to study the accuracy of the method.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2023

A multishell solution in the Skyrme model

We consider multishell configurations in the Skyrme model within the rational map ansatz. We show that equations for the Skyrme field are linearized in the limit of large number of shells, thus allowing for a simple analytic solution. Although this solution is approximate, it provides an accurate description of multishell configurations in the Skyrme model in the region where the Skyrme field is large, $F\gg1$. We use this solution to calculate the mass and the root mean square radius of multishell skyrmion configurations. In particular, for solutions with one unit of baryon charge per shell (the ``hedgehog'' solution) the mass scales as $M\propto B^2$, and its rms radius scales as $B^{1/2}$ with the baryon charge $B$. This scaling for the mass can be reduced to $M\propto B^{4/3}$ in the model with many units of baryon charge per shell. Although this solution is unstable against decays into single-shell or single-skyrmion configurations, it may be useful for modelling skyrmion stars or compact composite objects in some models of dark matter if the decay of such configurations is prevented by some mechanism.

hep-th↗
arXiv2023

Accurate electron-recoil ionization factors for dark matter direct detection in xenon, krypton and argon

While most scintillation-based dark matter experiments search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs), a sub-GeV WIMP-like particle may also be detectable in these experiments. While dark matter of this type and scale would not leave appreciable nuclear recoil signals, it may instead induce ionization of atomic electrons. Accurate modelling of the atomic wavefunctions is key to investigating this possibility, with incorrect treatment leading to a large suppression in the atomic excitation factors. We have calculated these atomic factors for argon, krypton and xenon and present the tabulated results for use with a range of dark matter models. This is made possible by the separability of the atomic and dark matter form factor, allowing the atomic factors to be calculated for general couplings; we include tables for vector, scalar, pseudovector, and pseudoscalar electron couplings. Additionally, we calculate electron impact total ionization cross sections for xenon using the tabulated results as a test of accuracy. Lastly, we provide an example calculation of the event rate for dark matter scattering on electrons in XENON1T and show that these calculations depend heavily on how the low-energy response of the detector is modelled.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Effect of finite nuclear size on the electric quadrupole hyperfine operator

We present an expression for the operator of the electric quadrupole hyperfine interaction which takes into account finite nuclear size. We compare the results obtained with the use of this operator with those obtained in the standard approach which ignores finite nuclear size. We found that the effect of changing operators on the hyperfine constant $B$ is small in hydrogen-like systems. There is a very significant enhancement of the effect in many-electron atoms caused by the contribution of the large $s_{1/2}-d_{3/2},d_{5/2}$ and $p_{1/2}-p_{3/2}$ off diagonal matrix elements to the core polarisation, correlation and configuration interaction corrections. Similar enhancement takes place for transition amplitudes induced by the electric quadrupole hyperfine interaction.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2023

Feebly Interacting Particles: FIPs 2022 workshop report

Particle physics today faces the challenge of explaining the mystery of dark matter, the origin of matter over anti-matter in the Universe, the origin of the neutrino masses, the apparent fine-tuning of the electro-weak scale, and many other aspects of fundamental physics. Perhaps the most striking frontier to emerge in the search for answers involves new physics at mass scales comparable to familiar matter, below the GeV-scale, or even radically below, down to sub-eV scales, and with very feeble interaction strength. New theoretical ideas to address dark matter and other fundamental questions predict such feebly interacting particles (FIPs) at these scales, and indeed, existing data provide numerous hints for such possibility. A vibrant experimental program to discover such physics is under way, guided by a systematic theoretical approach firmly grounded on the underlying principles of the Standard Model. This document represents the report of the FIPs 2022 workshop, held at CERN between the 17 and 21 October 2022 and aims to give an overview of these efforts, their motivations, and the decadal goals that animate the community involved in the search for FIPs.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Prospects for optical clocks combining high sensitivity to new physics with insensitivity to perturbations; the case of Sb$^{+}$, Au$^{+}$, and Hg$^{2+}$

Our study is motivated by the prospect of several metastable states in the Sb$ ^{+} $, Au$ ^{+} $, and Hg$ ^{2+} $ ions being used as possible candidates for optical clocks. We calculate several atomic properties relevant to the development of optical clocks for those clock transitions using two different approaches of relativistic many-body calculations, configuration interaction with single-double coupled-cluster (CI+SD) method, and configuration interaction with perturbation theory (CIPT) method. Our results demonstrate that the relative black body radiation shifts for these transitions are small, $ \sim 10 ^{-16} $. It is also found that there is considerable sensitivity to new physics, as evidenced by a significant enhancement of the effect of the time variation of the fine structure constant $α$ on the frequencies of the clock transitions. The corresponding factor ranges from -5.56 to 2.20. Our results are compared with available previous data.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2023

Enhanced Schiff and magnetic quadrupole moments in deformed nuclei and their connection to the search for axion dark matter

Deformed nuclei possess enhanced moments violating time reversal invariance ($T$) and parity ($P$). Collective magnetic quadrupole moments (MQM) appear in nuclei with a quadrupole deformation (which have ordinary $T$,$P$-conserving collective electric quadrupole moments). Nuclei with an octupole deformation have a collective electric octupole moment, electric dipole moment (EDM), Schiff moment and MQM in the intrinsic frame which rotates with the nucleus. In a state with definite angular momentum in the laboratory frame, these moments are forbidden by $T$ and $P$ conservation, meaning their expectation values vanish due to nuclear rotation. However, nuclei with an octupole deformation have doublets of close opposite parity rotational states with the same spin, which are mixed by $T$,$P$-violating nuclear forces. This mixing polarises the orientation of the nuclear axis along the nuclear spin, and all moments existing in the intrinsic frame appear in the laboratory frame (provided the nuclear spin $I$ is sufficiently large to allow such a moment). Such a mechanism produces enhanced $T$,$P$-violating nuclear moments. This enhancement also takes place in nuclei with a soft octupole vibration mode. In this paper we present updated estimates for the enhanced Schiff moment in isotopes of Eu, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Fr, Rn, Ac, Ra, Th, Pa, U, Np and Pu in terms of the CP-violating $π$-meson--nucleon interaction constants $\bar{g}_{0},\bar{g}_{1}$ and $\bar{g}_{2}$, the QCD parameter $\barθ$ and the quark chromo-EDMs. The implications of the enhanced $T$,$P$-violating moments to the search for axion dark matter in solid state experiments are also discussed, with potential alternative candidate compounds in which we may expect enhanced effects suggested.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Possibility of antiquark nuggets detection using meteor searching radars

Within the quark nugget model, dark matter particles may be represented by compact composite objects composed of a large number of quarks or antiquarks. Due to strong interaction with visible matter, antiquark nuggets should manifest themselves in the form of rare atmospheric events on the Earth. They may produce ionized trails in the atmosphere similar to the meteor trails. There are, however, several features which should allow one to distinguish antiquark nugget trails from meteor ones. We study the properties of ionized trails from antiquark nuggets in the air and show that they may be registered by standard meteor radar detectors. Non-observation of such trails pushes up the mean baryon charge number in the quark nugget model, $|B|>4\times 10^{27}$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Scalar dark matter induced oscillation of permanent-magnet field

Scalar-field dark matter models imply small oscillations of fundamental constants. These oscillations could result in observable variations of the magnetic field in a permanent magnet. We propose an experiment for detection of this type of dark matter through searches of oscillations of magnetic field of permanent magnets with a SQUID magnetometer or a low-noise radiofrequency amplifier. We show that this experiment may have comparable sensitivity to leading experiments searching for variations of fundamental constants in the range of frequencies from a few Hz to about 1 MHz. We also discuss applicability of the approach of variations of fundamental constants for accounting for the interaction with scalar dark matter.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2023

Calculation of the hyperfine structure of Dy, Ho, Cf, and Es

A recently developed version of the configuration interaction (CI) method for open shells with a large number of valence electrons has been used to study two heavy atoms, californium (Cf, Z= 98) and einsteinium (Es, Z= 99). Motivated by experimental work to measure the hyperfine structure (HFS) for these atoms, we perform the calculations of the magnetic dipole HFS constants $A$ and electric quadrupole HFS constant $B$ for the sake of interpretation of the measurements in terms of nuclear magnetic moment $μ$ and electric quadrupole moment $Q$. For verification of our computations, we have also carried out similar calculations for the lighter homologs dysprosium (Dy, Z= 66) and holmium (Ho, Z= 67), whose electronic structures are similar to Cf and Es, respectively. We have conducted a revision of the nuclear moments of some isotopes of Es leading to an improved value of the magnetic moment of $^{253}$Es [$μ$($^{253}$Es) = 4.20(13)$μ_N$].

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2022

Space-time variation of the s and c quark masses

Space-time variation of fundamental physical constants in expanding Universe is predicted by a number of popular models. The masses of second generation quarks are larger than first generation quark masses by several orders of magnitude, therefore space-time variation in quark masses may significantly vary between each generation. We evaluate limits on variation in the s and c quark masses from Big Bang nucleosynthesis, Oklo natural nuclear reactor, Yb+, Cs and Rb clock data. The construction of 229Th nuclear clock is expected to enhance these limits by several orders of magnitude. Furthermore, constraints are obtained on an oscillating scalar or pseudoscalar cold dark matter field, as interactions of the field with quarks produce variations in quark masses.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2022

Searching for scalar field dark matter with hyperfine transitions in alkali atoms

Fundamental constants such as masses and coupling constants of elementary particles can have small temporal and spatial variations in the scalar field dark matter model. These variations entail time oscillations of other constants, such as the Bohr and nuclear magnetons, Bohr radius and the hyperfine structure constant. In the presence of an external magnetic field, these oscillations induce hyperfine transitions in atoms and molecules. We determine the probability of magnetic dipole hyperfine transitions, caused by the oscillating fundamental constants, and propose an experiment that could detect the scalar field dark matter through this effect. This experiment may be sensitive to the scalar field and axion dark matter with mass in the range $1\,μ\text{eV}<m<100\,μ\text{eV}$.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2022

Effects of the long-range neutrino-mediated force in atomic phenomena

As known, electron vacuum polarization by nuclear Coulomb field produces Uehling potential with the range $\hbar/2m_e c$. Similarly, neutrino vacuum polarization by $Z$ boson field produces long range potential $\sim G_F^2/r^5$ with a very large range $\hbar/2m_νc$. Measurements of macroscopic effects produced by potential $G_{\rm{eff}}^2/r^5$ give limits on the effective interaction constant $G_{\rm{eff}}$ which exceed Fermi constant $G_F$ by many orders of magnitude, while limits from spectroscopy of simple atomic systems are approaching the Standard Model predictions. In the present paper we consider limits on $G_{\rm{eff}}$ from hydrogen, muonium, positronium, deuteron, and molecular hydrogen. Constraints are also obtained on fifth force parameterised by Yukawa-type potential mediated by a scalar particle.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2022

High-accuracy optical clocks based on group 16-like highly charged ions

We identify laser-accessible transitions in group 16-like highly charged ions as candidates for high-accuracy optical clocks, including S-, Se-, and Te-like systems. For this class of ions, the ground $^{3}P_{J}$ fine structure manifold exhibits irregular (nonmonotonic in $J$) energy ordering for large enough ionization degree. We consider the $|^3P_2\rangle \longleftrightarrow |^3P_0\rangle$ (ground to first-excited state) electric quadrupole transition, performing relativistic many-body calculations of several atomic properties important for optical clock development. All ions discussed are suitable for production in small-scale ion sources and lend themselves to sympathetic cooling and quantum-logic readout with singly charged ions.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2022

Effects of gravity in extra dimensions in atomic phenomena

We use the difference between theory and experiment for energy intervals in simple atomic systems (hydrogen, muonium, positronium and deuteron) to find limits on the size of extra space dimensions in the Arkani-Hamed - Dimopoulos - Dvali model for gravitation potential on short distances. As an additional experimental fact we use absence of the small size gravitational bound states of elementary particles. We demonstrate that the perturbation theory approach does not work and more reliable results are obtained by solving the Dirac equations for an electron in Coulomb and gravitational fields. These results probe smaller distances than distance between nuclei in molecules and the limits are significantly stronger than the limits on the size of extra dimensions obtained using spectra of hydrogen molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗