Physics Researchers Measure the Wave-Like Vibration of Atomic Nuclei with Unprecedented Precision
A group of physicists led by Professor Stephan Schiller Ph.D. of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) recorded the wave-like vibration of atomic nuclei with an unprecedented level of accuracy using ultra-high-precision laser spectroscopy on a simple molecule.
The researchers claim that their observations provide the most exact confirmation of the wave-like movement of nuclear particles to date in their paper that was published in the academic journal Nature Physics. Furthermore, they discovered no proof of any deviance from the recognized force between atomic nuclei.
Since almost a century ago, researchers have used precise experimental and theoretical methods to study basic atoms, with the hydrogen atom—the simplest atom with only one electron—being the focus of early research. The energies of hydrogen atoms, and consequently their electromagnetic spectrum, have been calculated with the greatest accuracy of any confined quantum system to date. The comparison of theoretical predictions and measurements allows testing of the theory underlying the prediction because exceedingly accurate measurements of the spectrum may also be made.
These tests are quite significant. In spite of their failures thus far, researchers from all over the world are looking for proof of potential new physical consequences that Dark Matter might have. There would be a mismatch between measurement and prediction as a result of these impacts.
The simplest molecule, in contrast to the hydrogen atom, was not a target for precise measurements for a very long time. However, the research team at HHU's Chair of Experimental Physics, led by Professor Stephan Schiller Ph.D., has focused exclusively on this issue. The team has done ground-breaking work in Düsseldorf and created some of the most precise experimental methods ever.
The molecular hydrogen ion (MHI), a hydrogen molecule with three particles but no electron, is the simplest type of molecule. Two protons and an electron make up one variety, H2+, whereas a proton, a deuteron - a heavier hydrogen isotope - and an electron make up HD+. The charged "baryons" that are subject to the so-called strong force are protons and deuterons.
MHI schematic, showing an HD+ molecule: It consists of a deuteron nucleus (d) and a hydrogen nucleus (p), which can move about and vibrate in opposition to one another. An electron (e) is also present. Spectral lines are a visual representation of the movements of p and d. Photographer: Soroosh Alighanbari/HHU
The constituents of molecules can behave in a variety of ways: Atomic nuclei vibrate against or rotate around one another, with the particles acting like waves, as the electrons move around them. Quantum theory provides a thorough description of these wave motions.
The spectra of the molecules, which are reflected in various spectral lines, are determined by the various modes of motion. Although they are substantially more complicated, the spectra form in a manner similar to atom spectra.
The art of modern physics study currently entails exceedingly accurate wavelength measurements of the spectral lines as well as incredibly accurate wavelength calculations using quantum theory. A match between the two results is seen as evidence that the predictions were accurate, however a mismatch may be a sign of "new Physics."
The physics group at HHU has enhanced the laser spectroscopy of the MHI throughout time by coming up with methods that have multiplied orders of magnitude in the experimental resolution of the spectra. Their goal is to better test theoretical predictions by measuring spectra with greater accuracy. This makes it possible to spot any potential theory deviations and provides a jumping-off point for any necessary revisions.
The group led by Professor Schiller has raised experimental precision to a level superior to theory. In order to do this, the scientists in Düsseldorf confine a moderate amount of about 100 MHI in an ion trap inside of a container that operates at an ultra-high vacuum, chilling the ions using laser cooling techniques to a temperature of 1 millikelvin. This makes it possible to monitor the molecular spectra of rotational and vibrational transitions with incredibly fine precision. The authors now describe observations for a spectral line with the noticeably shorter wavelength of 1.1 m in Nature Physics, building on earlier studies of spectral lines with wavelengths of 230 m and 5.1 m.
Professor Schiller: "The theoretical prediction and the experimentally determined transition frequency accord. We have developed the most exact test for charged baryon quantum motion, which requires that any divergence from accepted quantum principles, if it occurs at all, be lower than 1 part in 100 billion.
The outcome can potentially be read differently as follows: In addition to the well-known Coulomb force (the force between electrically charged particles), it is hypothetically possible for a second basic force to exist between the proton and deuteron. Lead author Dr. Soroosh Alighanbari: "Such an improbable power might exist in relation to the Dark Matter phenomenon.Despite the fact that our measurements have turned up no proof of such a force, we will keep looking.
S. Alighanbari, I. V. Kortunov, G. S. Giri, and S. Schiller published a study titled "Test of Charged Baryon Interaction with High-Resolution Vibrational Spectroscopy of Molecular Hydrogen Ions" in Nature Physics on June 22, 2023.
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Helo guys 💕