Andrei Derevianko, Eden Figueroa, Julián MartÍnez-Rincón, Inder Monga, Andrei Nomerotski, Cristián H. Peña, Nicholas A. Peters, Raphael Pooser, Nageswara Rao, Anze Slosar, Panagiotis Spentzouris, Maria Spiropulu, Paul Stankus, Wenji Wu, Si Xie
Mar 31, 2022·quant-ph·PDF Quantum networks of quantum objects promise to be exponentially more powerful than the objects considered independently. To live up to this promise will require the development of error mitigation and correction strategies to preserve quantum information as it is initialized, stored, transported, utilized, and measured. The quantum information could be encoded in discrete variables such as qubits, in continuous variables, or anything in-between. Quantum computational networks promise to enable simulation of physical phenomena of interest to the HEP community. Quantum sensor networks promise new measurement capability to test for new physics and improve upon existing measurements of fundamental constants. Such networks could exist at multiple scales from the nano-scale to a global-scale quantum network.
Andrew A. Geraci, Colin Bradley, Dongfeng Gao, Jonathan Weinstein, Andrei Derevianko
We discuss the use of optical cavities as tools to search for dark matter (DM) composed of virialized ultra-light fields (VULFs). Such fields could lead to oscillating fundamental constants, resulting in oscillations of the length of rigid bodies. We propose searching for these effects via differential strain measurement of rigid and suspended-mirror cavities. We estimate that more than two orders of magnitude of unexplored phase space for VULF DM couplings can be probed at VULF Compton frequencies in the audible range of 0.1-10 kHz.
Andrei Derevianko
Spherically-symmetric ground states of alkali-metal atoms do not posses electric quadrupole moments. However, the hyperfine interaction between nuclear moments and atomic electrons distorts the spherical symmetry of electronic clouds and leads to non-vanishing atomic quadrupole moments. We evaluate these hyperfine-induced quadrupole moments using techniques of relativistic many-body theory and compile results for Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs atoms. For heavy atoms we find that the hyperfine-induced quadrupole moments are strongly (two orders of magnitude) enhanced by correlation effects. We further apply the results of the calculation to microwave atomic clocks where the coupling of atomic quadrupole moments to gradients of electric fields leads to clock frequency uncertainties. We show that for $^{133}$Cs atomic clocks, the spatial gradients of electric fields must be smaller than $30 \, \mathrm{V}/\mathrm{cm}^2$ to guarantee fractional inaccuracies below $10^{-16}$.
Samuel R. Vizvary, Zachary J. Wall, Matthew J. Boguslawski, Michael Bareian, Andrei Derevianko, Wesley C. Campbell, Eric R. Hudson
Oct 17, 2023·quant-ph·PDF The $\textit{omg}$ protocol is a promising paradigm that uses multiple, application-specific qubit subspaces within the Hilbert space of each single atom during quantum information processing. A key assumption for $\textit{omg}$ operation is that a subspace can be accessed independently without deleterious effects on information stored in other subspaces. We find that intensity noise during laser-based quantum gates in one subspace can cause decoherence in other subspaces, potentially complicating $\textit{omg}$ operation. We show, however, that a magnetic-field-induced vector light shift can be used to eliminate this source of decoherence. As this technique requires simply choosing a certain, magnetic field dependent, polarization for the gate lasers it is straightforward to implement and potentially helpful for $\textit{omg}$ based quantum technology.
Ekaterina Ilinova, James F. Babb, Andrei Derevianko
We explore the feasibility of a compact high-precision Hg atomic clock based on a hollow core optical fiber. We evaluate the sensitivity of the $^1S_0$-$^3P_0$ clock transition in Hg and other divalent atoms to the fiber inner core surface at non-zero temperatures. The Casimir-Polder interaction induced $^1S_0$-$^3P_0$ transition frequency shift is calculated for the atom inside the hollow capillary as a function of atomic position, capillary material, and geometric parameters. For $^{199}\mathrm{Hg}$ atoms on the axis of a silica capillary with inner radius $\geq 15 \,μ\mathrm{m}$ and optimally chosen thickness $d\sim 1 \,μ\mathrm{m}$, the atom-surface interaction induced $^1S_0$-$^3P_0$ clock transition frequency shift can be kept on the level $δν/ν_{\mathrm{Hg}} \sim10^{-19}$. We also estimate the atom loss and heating due to the collisions with the buffer gas, lattice intensity noise induced heating, spontaneous photon scattering, and residual birefringence induced frequency shifts.
Chuankun Zhang, Lars von der Wense, Jack F. Doyle, Jacob S. Higgins, Tian Ooi, Hans U. Friebel, Jun Ye, R. Elwell, J. E. S. Terhune, H. W. T. Morgan, A. N. Alexandrova, H. B. Tran Tan, Andrei Derevianko, Eric R. Hudson
After nearly fifty years of searching, the vacuum ultraviolet $^{229}$Th nuclear isomeric transition has recently been directly laser excited [1,2] and measured with high spectroscopic precision [3]. Nuclear clocks based on this transition are expected to be more robust [4,5] than and may outperform [6,7] current optical atomic clocks. They also promise sensitive tests for new physics beyond the standard model [5,8,9]. In light of these important advances and applications, a dramatic increase in the need for $^{229}$Th spectroscopy targets in a variety of platforms is anticipated. However, the growth and handling of high-concentration $^{229}$Th-doped crystals [5] used in previous measurements [1-3,10] are challenging due to the scarcity and radioactivity of the $^{229}$Th material. Here, we demonstrate a potentially scalable solution to these problems by demonstrating laser excitation of the nuclear transition in $^{229}$ThF$_4$ thin films grown with a physical vapor deposition process, consuming only micrograms of $^{229}$Th material. The $^{229}$ThF$_4$ thin films are intrinsically compatible with photonics platforms and nanofabrication tools for integration with laser sources and detectors, paving the way for an integrated and field-deployable solid-state nuclear clock with radioactivity up to three orders of magnitude smaller than typical \thor-doped crystals [1-3,10]. The high nuclear emitter density in $^{229}$ThF$_4$ also potentially enables quantum optics studies in a new regime. Finally, we describe the operation and present the estimation of the performance of a nuclear clock based on a defect-free ThF$_4$ crystal.
Arko P. Sen, Andrey Sarantsev, Geoffrey Blewitt, Andrei Derevianko
Running Median Subtraction Filter (RMSF) is a robust statistical tool for removing slowly varying baselines in data streams containing transients (short-duration signals) of interest. In this work, we explore the RMSF performance and properties using simulated time series and analytical methods. We study the RMSF fidelity in preserving the signal of interest in the data using (i) a Gaussian pulse and (ii) a transient oscillatory signal. Such signals may be generated by hypothetical exotic low-mass fields (ELFs) associated with intense astrophysical events like binary black hole or neutron star mergers. We consider and assess RMSF as a candidate method to extract transient ELF signals. RMSF operates by sliding a window across the data and subtracting the median value within each window from the data points. With a suitable choice of running window size, RMSF effectively filters out baseline variations without compromising the integrity of transients. The RMSF window width is a critical parameter: it must be wide enough to encompass a short transient but narrow enough to remove the slowly varying baseline. We show that the RMSF removes the mean of a normally distributed white noise while preserving its variance and higher order moments in the limit of large windows. In addition, RMSF does not color the white noise stream, i.e., it does not induce any significant correlation in the filtered data. Ideally, a filter would preserve both the signal of interest and the statistical characteristics of the stochastic component of the data, while removing the background clutter and outliers. We find the RMSF to satisfy these practical criteria for data pre-processing. While we rigorously prove several RMSF properties, the paper is organized as a tutorial with multiple illustrations of RMSF applications.
Jiguang Li, Andrei Derevianko, D. S. Elliott
We explore the feasibility of extracting electroweak observables from a measurement of atomic parity violation in hydrogen. Our proposed quantum-control scheme focuses on the $2s-3s$ or $2s-4s$ transitions in hydrogen. This work is motivated by the recently observed anomaly in the W-boson mass, which may substantially modify the Standard Model value of the proton weak charge. We also study the accuracy of the previously employed approximations in computing parity-violating effects in hydrogen.
Tyler Daykin, Chris Ellis, Andrei Derevianko
Sep 10, 2021·astro-ph.CO·PDF Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) detection statistic has wide-spread applications. A potential event is recorded when the SNR from a specific template exceeds a threshold set by a desired false positive rate. In template bank searches, the generalization of the SNR statistic is the SNR-max statistic, defined as the maximum of the absolute value of SNRs from individual template matching. While individual SNR realizations are Gaussian distributed, SNR-max probability distribution is non-Gaussian. Moreover, as the individual template-bank SNRs are computed using the same network data streams, SNRs become correlated between templates. Cross-template correlations have sizable effect on the SNR-max probability distribution, and the threshold SNR-max values. Computing threshold SNR-max values for large banks is computationally prohibitive and we develop analytic approaches to computing properties of SNR-max statistic. This is done for nearly orthogonal template banks and for banks with cross-template correlation coefficients "squeezed" about the most probable cross-template correlation value. Since cross-template correlation coefficients quantify similarity of templates, increasing correlations decrease SNR-max thresholds for specific values of false positive rates. Increasing the number of templates in the bank increases the SNR-max thresholds. Our derivations are carried out for networks that may exhibit colored noise and cross-node correlations. Specific applications are illustrated with a dark matter search with atomic clocks and a ''toy'' planar network with cyclic rotational symmetry.
Andrei Derevianko, Derek Jackson Kimball, Conner Dailey
The comment by Stadnik [arXiv:2111.14351v1] claims that "back-action", i.e. interaction of exotic low-mass fields (ELF) with ordinary matter, "prevents the multi-messenger astronomy on human timescales." We strongly disagree with this blanket claim. This is {\em not a general conclusion}, as Stadnik's statement entirely relies on a specific sign of the ELF-matter interaction. As we demonstrate, there are coupling constant ranges when, in fact, the screening effects are irrelevant. In addition, the delay between the arrival of the ELF and gravitational wave bursts is reduced by the ELF-ordinary matter interaction, improving the discovery reach of our proposed novel, exotic physics, modality in multi-messenger astronomy.
Vsevolod D. Dergachev, Hoang Bao Tran Tan, Sergey A. Varganov, Andrei Derevianko
The anthropic principle implies that life can emerge and be sustained only in a narrow range of values of fundamental constants. Here we show that anthropic arguments can set powerful constraints on {\em transient} variations of the fine-structure constant $α$ over the past 4 billion years since the appearance of lifeforms on Earth. We argue that the passage through Earth of a macroscopic dark matter clump with a value of $α$ inside differing substantially from its nominal value would make Earth uninhabitable. We demonstrate that in the regime of extreme variation of $α$, the periodic table of elements is truncated, water fails to serve as a universal solvent, and protons become unstable. Thereby, the anthropic principle constrains the likelihood of such encounters on a 4-billion-year timescale. This enables us to improve existing astrophysical bounds on certain dark matter model couplings by several orders of magnitude.
Benjamin M. Roberts, Geoffrey Blewitt, Conner Dailey, Mac Murphy, Maxim Pospelov, Alex Rollings, Jeff Sherman, Wyatt Williams, Andrei Derevianko
Cosmological observations indicate that 85% of all matter in the Universe is dark matter (DM), yet its microscopic composition remains a mystery. One hypothesis is that DM arises from ultralight quantum fields that form macroscopic objects such as topological defects. Here we use GPS as a ~ 50,000 km aperture DM detector to search for such defects in the form of domain walls. GPS navigation relies on precision timing signals furnished by atomic clocks hosted on board GPS satellites. As the Earth moves through the galactic DM halo, interactions with topological defects could cause atomic clock glitches that propagate through the GPS satellite constellation at galactic velocities ~ 300 km/s. Mining 16 years of archival GPS data, we find no evidence for DM in the form of domain walls at our current sensitivity level. This allows us to improve the limits on certain quadratic scalar couplings of domain wall DM to standard model particles by several orders of magnitude.
Andrei Derevianko, Sergey G. Porsev, Svetlana Kotochigova, Eite Tiesinga, Paul S. Julienne
Ultra-cold collisions of spin-polarized 24Mg,40Ca, and 88Sr in the metastable 3P2 excited state are investigated. We calculate the long-range interaction potentials and estimate the scattering length and the collisional loss rate as a function of magnetic field. The estimates are based on molecular potentials between 3P2 alkaline-earth atoms obtained from ab initio atomic and molecular structure calculations. The scattering lengths show resonance behavior due to the appearance of a molecular bound state in a purely long-range interaction potential and are positive for magnetic fields below 50 mT. A loss-rate model shows that losses should be smallest near zero magnetic field and for fields slightly larger than the resonance field, where the scattering length is also positive.
Arko P. Sen, Kalia Pfeffer, Paul Ries, Geoffrey Blewitt, Andrei Derevianko
Dec 20, 2023·astro-ph.IM·PDF We explore a novel, exotic physics, modality in multi-messenger astronomy. We are interested in exotic fields emitted by the mergers and their direct detection with a network of atomic clocks. We specifically focus on the rubidium clocks onboard satellites of the Global Positioning System. Bursts of exotic fields may be produced during the coalescence of black hole singularities, releasing quantum gravity messengers. To be detectable such fields must be ultralight and ultra-relativistic and we refer to them as exotic low-mass fields (ELFs). Since such fields possess non-zero mass, the ELF bursts lag behind the gravitational waves emitted by the very same merger. Then the gravitational wave observatories provide a detection trigger for the atomic clock networks searching for the feeble ELF signals. ELFs would imprint an anti-chirp transient across the sensor network. ELFs can be detectable by atomic clocks if they cause variations in fundamental constants. We report our progress in the development of techniques to search for ELF bursts with clocks onboard GPS satellites. We focus on the binary neutron star merger GW170817 of August 17, 2017. We find an intriguing excess in the clock noise post LIGO gravitational wave trigger. Potentially the excess noise could be explained away by the increased solar electron flux post LIGO trigger.
J. E. S. Terhune, R. Elwell, H. B. Tran Tan, U. C. Perera, H. W. T. Morgan, A. N. Alexandrova, Andrei Derevianko, Eric R. Hudson
The population dynamics of the 229Th isomeric state is studied in a solid-state host under laser illumination. A photoquenching process is observed, where off-resonant vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) radiation leads to relaxation of the isomeric state. The cross-section for this photoquenching process is measured and a model for the decay process, where photoexcitation of electronic states within the material bandgap opens an internal conversion decay channel, is presented and appears to reproduce the measured cross-section.
Arko P. Sen, Geoffrey Blewitt, Andrey Sarantsev, Paul Ries, Andrei Derevianko
Feb 17, 2026·astro-ph.IM·PDF The Global Positioning System (GPS) includes a continuously operating, planet-scale network of atomic clocks that, beyond navigation and time dissemination, enables precision tests of fundamental physics. Here we use GPS carrier phase archival data to perform a retrospective search for exotic low-mass fields (ELFs) that might be emitted by the binary neutron-star merger GW170817, complementing gravitational wave and electromagnetic modalitiesnin multi-messenger astronomy. Such ultra-relativistic fields would imprint a dispersive, anti-chirp signature in clock-frequency time series, delayed with respect to the LIGO-Virgo gravitational wave detection. We construct network-median pseudo-frequency data from eighteen Rb satellite clocks referenced to a terrestrial hydrogen maser and conduct a template-bank search spanning ELF pulse duration, arrival delay, and characteristic frequency. No statistically significant signal is observed after accounting for noise statistics and template-bank trials. We derive 95\% confidence-level lower bounds on the interaction energy scale $Λ_α$ of quadratic couplings driving variations in electromagnetic fine-structure constant. These limits improve upon existing astrophysical and gravity-test constraints across the ELF-energy range $\approx10^{-18}$--$10^{-14}\,\mathrm{eV}$. This demonstrates that mature global satellite-clock networks provide an observational capability for retrospective, multi-messenger searches for new physics using decades of archival timing data.
Conner Dailey, Colin Bradley, Derek F. Jackson Kimball, Ibrahim Sulai, Szymon Pustelny, Arne Wickenbrock, Andrei Derevianko
Feb 11, 2020·astro-ph.IM·PDF Multi-messenger astronomy, the coordinated observation of different classes of signals originating from the same astrophysical event, provides a wealth of information about astrophysical processes with far-reaching implications. So far, the focus of multi-messenger astronomy has been the search for conventional signals from known fundamental forces and standard model particles, like gravitational waves (GW). In addition to these known effects, quantum sensor networks could be used to search for astrophysical signals predicted by beyond-standard-model (BSM) theories. Exotic bosonic fields are ubiquitous features of BSM theories and appear while seeking to understand the nature of dark matter and dark energy and solve the hierarchy and strong CP problems. We consider the case where high-energy astrophysical events could produce intense bursts of exotic low-mass fields (ELFs). We propose to expand the toolbox of multi-messenger astronomy to include networks of precision quantum sensors that by design are shielded from or insensitive to conventional standard-model physics signals. We estimate ELF signal amplitudes, delays, rates, and distances of GW sources to which global networks of atomic magnetometers and atomic clocks could be sensitive. We find that, indeed, such precision quantum sensor networks can function as ELF telescopes to detect signals from sources generating ELF bursts of sufficient intensity. Thus ELFs, if they exist, could act as additional messengers for astrophysical events.
Andrei Derevianko, Kurt Gibble, Leo Hollberg, Nathan R. Newbury, Chris Oates, Marianna S. Safronova, Laura C. Sinclair, Nan Yu
Recent advances in optical atomic clocks and optical time transfer have enabled new possibilities in precision metrology for both tests of fundamental physics and timing applications. Here we describe a space mission concept that would place a state-of-the-art optical atomic clock in an eccentric orbit around Earth. A high stability laser link would connect the relative time, range, and velocity of the orbiting spacecraft to earthbound stations. The primary goal for this mission would be to test the gravitational redshift, a classical test of general relativity, with a sensitivity 30,000 times beyond current limits. Additional science objectives include other tests of relativity, enhanced searches for dark matter and drifts in fundamental constants, and establishing a high accuracy international time/geodesic reference.
Carl Wieman, Andrei Derevianko
A concise review of atomic parity violation with a focus on the measurement and interpretation of parity violation in cesium.
Andrei Derevianko
Jul 19, 2008·quant-ph·PDF Motivated by the recent progress in cooling and trapping polar molecules, we present a simplified version of the rigorous contact pseudopotential for anisotropically-interacting polarized particles [A. Derevianko, Phys. Rev. A 67, 033607 (2003); Phys. Rev. A 72, 039901(E) (2005)]. The simplifications are carried out for a practically important case of harmonically confined particles described by sufficiently smooth wavefunctions. The resulting contact pseudo-potential depends on the K-matrix of the underlying scattering process and is represented as a sum over pairs of partial waves coupled by the collision. The contribution of each pair of the coupled waves (l and l') involves a tensor product of derivatives of orders l and l'. The asymmetry in the derivatives reflects the anisotropy of the original interaction potential: there is a preferential appearance of the derivatives along the polarizing field.