Spectroscopy, optical atomic clocks, and dark matter

Spectroscopy, optical atomic clocks, and dark matter Roman Ciuryło (Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń)

Spectroscopy is an invaluable source of knowledge about the quantum nature of matter at the microscale and the expanding universe at the macroscale.

Polish physicists have made a significant contribution to spectroscopic research. These achievements have become the foundation for the development of high resolution spectroscopy of atoms and molecules.

At the turn of the millennium, experimental activity was institutionally supported by the establishment of the National Laboratory FAMO in Toruń.

This resulted, among others, in laboratory tests of quantum electrodynamics in molecules [↗] [↗] and the construction of the first Polish Optical Atomic Clock [↗].

The idea of the optical atomic clock application in the search for dark matter. Dark matter hypothetically influences the apparent value of the fine structure constant α=e²/(4πϵ₀ħc) ≈1/137 which affects the comparison of the frequencies of atomic transitions ω~α^2 and resonances of optical cavities ω~α, what can be detected experimentally according to the proposal from paper of P. Wcisło et al. [↗].

This scientific instrument, the most accurate in our country was used as part of a global observatory consisting of a network of optical atomic clocks from North America, Asia and Europe [↗] to search for dark matter.

The natural step forward in the development of ultra-accurate spectroscopic methods will likely be the construction of optical molecular clocks [↗].

Such devices would allow to search for new interactions beyond the Standard Model such as non-Newtonian gravity or the so-called fifth force.

Roman Ciuryło received his Ph.D. from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU).

He was a post-doc at University of Toronto, Canada and at National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA. He is a former director of the National Laboratory FAMO in Torun and expert of European Space Agency.

Currently he is a professor at NCU and head of Department of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics.

His main scientific interest cover theoretical and experimental study of atomic and molecular optical resonances in both, atmospheric and ultra-cold conditions as well as its applications for fundamental physics.

October 17, 2020 at 9:45am,

Auditorium of Faculty of Physics, Uniwersity of Warsaw

Appreciate

Credits:

Photos provided by Roman Ciuryło, Anna Bielawiec-Osińska, UMK