Description:

Abstract: Quantum control of atomic states has enabled understanding and tests of fundamental physics, produced incredibly accurate timekeeping, and advanced quantum computation and simulation. Molecules have extra degrees of freedom that bring both challenges and opportunities if they can be controlled at the quantum level. Active development of molecular control techniques has already
produced impressive results. After a brief overview of the state of the art with small numbers of simple molecules, I will focus on one particular application: searches for new physics through timevariation of fundamental constants. Some models of quantum gravity and some classes of dark matter predict temporal changes in the proton-to-electron mass ratio. Molecular vibrations are sensitive to these changes. I will describe our work at Amherst with singly ionized oxygen molecules,
both in a beam and a trap, and its prospects for testing physical laws.

Associate Professor David Hanneke, Amherst College

Host: CFP

Keywords: Physics, Center for Fundamental Physics