P. Merz

Bio: P. Merz is an academic researcher from University of Mainz. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ion beam & Laser. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 17 publications receiving 283 citations.

A test of special relativity with stored lithium ions

Abstract: Laser spectroscopy at the heavy ion storage ring TSR in Heidelberg allows for precision experiments testing the limits of the special theory of relativity. With an opticalΛ-type three-level system of7Li+ the Doppler shift has been measured by saturation spectroscopy as a test of the time dilatation factor γ = (1 −β2)−1/2 at an ion velocity ofυ = 6.4% c. A precision ofΔν/ν < 9 × 10−9 has been obtained, which sets a second-order limit of 1.1 × 10−6 for any deviation from the time dilatation factor. The fourth-order limit of this deviation is set below 2.7 × 10−4 by the present experiment. These limits are given at a 1 σ confidence level.

Measurement of the transverse Doppler shift using a stored relativistic 7 Li + ion beam

Abstract: We have performed for the first time precision spectroscopy on a coasting fast7Li+ ion beam in a storage ring. The ion beam moving with 6.4% speed of light was first electron cooled and then merged with two counterpropagating laser beams acting on two different hyperfine transitions sharing a common upper level (λ-system). One laser was frequency locked to thea 3 127J2 hfs frequency component established as a secondary frequency standard at 514 nm. The second laser was tuned over theλ-resonance, which was recorded relative to127J2 hfs components. This experiment is sensitive to the time dilation in fast moving frames and will lead to new limits for the verification of special relatively. The present status of the experiment and perspectives in accuracy are discussed.

Ground-State Hyperfine Structure of Heavy Hydrogen-Like Ions

Abstract: Contributions of quantum electrodynamics (QED) to the combined electric and magnetic interaction between the electron and the nucleus can be studied by optical spectroscopy in high-Z hydrogen-like heavy ions. The transition studied is the ground-state hyperfine structure transition, well known from the 21 cm line in atomic hydrogen. The hyperfine splitting of the is ground state of hydrogen-like systems constitutes the simplest and most basic magnetic interaction in atomic physics. The Z3-increase leads to a transition energy in the UV-region of the optical spectrum for the case of Bi82+. At the same time, the QED correction rises to nearly 1 fraction of higher order contributions. This situation is particularly useful for a comparison with non-perturbative QED calculations. The combination of exceptionally intense electric and magnetic fields electric and magnetic fields is unique. This transition has become accessible to precision laser spectroscopy at the high-energy heavy-ion storage ring at GSI-Darmstadt in the hydrogen-like 209Bi82+ and 207Pb81+. In the meantime, 165Ho66+ and 185,187Re74+ were also studied with reduced resolution by conventional optical spectroscopy at the SuperEBIT ion trap at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Precision measurement of two iodine lines at 585 nm and 549 nm

Abstract: The transition frequencies of thei-component of the R(99)15-1 and thew-component of the R(85)26-0 transition in the B-X system of molecular127I2 have been determined with an overall relative standard uncertainty of 1.3 · 10−10. For this purpose a commercial linear dye laser has been modified and stabilized to the corresponding iodine line. This dye laser serves as a transportable frequency standard which is compared with the wavelength standards of the PTB. The evaluation of an experiment for testing special relativity at the test storage ring (TSR) in Heidelberg is based on the precision of the reported interferometric wavelength comparison.

Improved laser test of the isotropy of space

Abstract: Extremely sensitive readout of a stable "etalon of length" is achieved with laser frequency-locking techniques. Rotation of the entire electro-optical system maps any cosmic directional anisotropy of space into a corresponding frequency variation. We found a fractional length change $\frac{\ensuremath{\Delta}l}{l}=(1.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$, with the expected ${P}_{2}(cos\ensuremath{\theta})$ signature. This null result represents a 4000-fold improvement on the best previous measurement of Jaseja et al.

Highly charged ions: Optical clocks and applications in fundamental physics

Abstract: Electronic states of highly charged ions show magnified fine-structure, Lamb shift, and hyperfine effects making them sensitive probes of bound-state quantum electrodynamics and nuclear physics. Being also impervious to external perturbations renders them ideal candidates for precision spectroscopy and accurate clocks that could test physics beyond the standard model. This review discusses how a variety of ion species and transitions may optimally be used to target such new applications, and presents routes to handle them in the laboratory.

Highly charged ions

Abstract: This paper reviews some of the fundamental properties of highly charged ions, the methods of producing them (with particular emphasis on table-top devices), and their use as a tool for both basic science and applied technology. Topics discussed include: charge dependence and scaling laws along isoelectronic or isonuclear sequences (for wavefunction size or Bohr radius, ionization energy, dipole transition energy, relativistic fine structure, hyperfine structure, Zeeman effect, Stark effect, line intensities, linewidths, strength of parity violation, etc), changes in angular momentum coupling schemes, selection rules, interactions with surfaces, electron-impact ionization, the electron beam ion trap (EBIT), ion accelerators, atomic reference data, cosmic chronometers, laboratory x-ray astrophysics, vacuum polarization, solar flares, ion implantation, ion lithography, ion microprobes (SIMS and x-ray microscope), nuclear fusion diagnostics, nanotechnology, quantum computing, cancer therapy and biotechnology.

Tests of Lorentz invariance using a microwave resonator.

Abstract: The frequencies of a cryogenic sapphire oscillator and a hydrogen maser are compared to set new constraints on a possible violation of Lorentz invariance We determine the variation of the oscillator frequency as a function of its orientation (Michelson-Morley test) and of its velocity (Kennedy-Thorndike test) with respect to a preferred frame candidate We constrain the corresponding parameters of the Mansouri and Sexl test theory to $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}+1/2=(15\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}42)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$ and $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}1=(\ensuremath{-}31\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}69)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ which is of the same order as the best previous result for the former and represents a 30-fold improvement for the latter