Spin clocks: Probing fundamental symmetries in nature

The detection of the free precession of co-located 3He/129Xe nuclear spins (clock comparison) is used as ultra-sensitive probe for non-magnetic spin interactions, since the magnetic dipole interaction (Zeeman-term) drops out in the weighted frequency difference, i.e., Δω = ωHe- γHe/γXe·ωXe of the respective Larmor frequencies. Recent results are reported on searches for (i) short-range P- and T-violating interactions between nucleons, and (ii) Lorentz violating signatures by monitoring the Larmor frequencies as the laboratory reference frame rotates with respect to distant stars (sidereal modulation). Finally, a new experimental initiative to search for an electric dipole moment of 129Xe (C…

A new limit of the 129 Xenon Electric Dipole Moment

We report on the first preliminary result of our 129Xe EDM measurement performed by the MIXed collaboration. The aim of this report is to demonstrate the feasibility of a new method to set limits on nuclear EDMs by investigating the EDM of the diamagnetic 129Xe atoms. In our setup, hyperpolarized 3He serves as a comagnetometer needed to suppress magnetic field fluctuations. The free induction decay of the two polarized spin species is directly measured by low noise DC SQUIDs, and the weighted phase difference extracted from these measurements is used to determine a preliminary upper limit on the 129Xe EDM.

Allmendingeret al.Reply:

Constraints on Spin-Dependent Short-Range Interaction between Nucleons

We report on the search for a new spin-dependent P- and T-violating interaction between nucleons mediated by light, pseudoscalar bosons such as the axion which was invented to solve the strong CP problem. Our experimental approach is to use an ultra-sensitive low-field magnetometer based on the detection of free precession of co-located 3He and 129Xe nuclear spins using SQUIDs as low-noise magnetic flux detectors. In the presence of an unpolarized mass the precession frequency shif

New Limit on Lorentz-Invariance- andCPT-Violating Neutron Spin Interactions Using a Free-Spin-PrecessionHe3-Xe129Comagnetometer

We report on the search for a $CPT$- and Lorentz-invariance-violating coupling of the $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ nuclear spins (each largely determined by a valence neutron) to posited background tensor fields that permeate the Universe. Our experimental approach is to measure the free precession of nuclear spin polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ atoms in a homogeneous magnetic guiding field of about 400 nT using ${\mathrm{LT}}_{C}$ SQUIDs as low-noise magnetic flux detectors. As the laboratory reference frame rotates with respect to distant stars, we look for a sidereal modulation of the Larmor frequencies of the colocated spin samples. As a result we obtain…

HP-Xe to go: Storage and Transportation of Hyperpolarized 129-Xe

Abstract Recently the spin–lattice relaxation time T 1 of hyperpolarized (HP)- 129 Xe was significantly improved by using uncoated and Rb-free storage vessels of GE180 glass. For these cells, a simple procedure was established to obtain reproducible wall relaxation times of about 18 h. Then the limiting relaxation mechanism in pure Xe is due to the coupling between the nuclear spins and the angular momentum of the Xe–Xe van-der-Waals-molecules. This mechanism can be significantly reduced by using different buffer gases of which CO 2 was discovered to be the most efficient so far. From these values, it was estimated that for a 1:1 mixture of HP-Xe with CO 2 a longitudinal relaxation time of …

Measurement of the Permanent Electric Dipole Moment of the $^{129}$Xe Atom

We report on a measurement of the $CP$-violating permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutral $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ atom. Our experimental approach is based on the detection of the free precession of co-located nuclear spin-polarized $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$ samples. The EDM measurement sensitivity benefits strongly from long spin coherence times of several hours achieved in diluted gases and homogeneous weak magnetic fields of about 400 nT. A finite EDM is indicated by a change in the precession frequency, as an electric field is periodically reversed with respect to the magnetic guiding field. Our result $(\ensuremath{-}4.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6.4)\ifmmode\t…

Limit on Lorentz-Invariance- and CPT-Violating Neutron Spin Interactions Using a $^3$He-$^{129}$Xe Comagnetometer

We performed a search for a Lorentz-invariance- and CPT-violating coupling of the $^3$He and $^{129}$Xe nuclear spins to posited background fields. Our experimental approach is to measure the free precession of nuclear spin polarized $^3$He and $^{129}$Xe atoms using SQUID detectors. As the laboratory reference frame rotates with respect to distant stars, we look for a sidereal modulation of the Larmor frequencies of the co-located spin samples. As a result we obtain an upper limit on the equatorial component of the background field $\tilde{b}^n_{\bot}< 8.4 \cdot 10^{-34}$ GeV (68\% C.L.). Furthermore, this technique was modified to search for an electric dipole moment (EDM) of $^{129}$X…

Search for Spin-Dependent Short-Range Interaction with an 3He/129Xe Clock Comparison Experiment

We performed an experiment to search for a new spin-dependent P- and T-violating nucleon–nucleon interaction [Formula: see text] which is mediated by light pseudoscalar bosons such as axions or axionlike particles. This interaction causes a shift [Formula: see text] in the precession frequency of nuclear spin polarized gases in the presence of an unpolarized mass. In order to measure this frequency shift a 3He/[Formula: see text]Xe comagnetometer was used which is based on the detection of free precession of 3He and [Formula: see text]Xe nuclear spins using SQUIDs as detectors. For the upper limit of [Formula: see text] we obtained 7.1[Formula: see text]nHz. With this value, an upper limit…