Enhanced sensitivity to the fine-structure constant variation in Th IV atomic clock transition
Atomic Physics
2010-04-29 v1
Abstract
Our calculations have shown that the 5f_5/2-7s_1/2 23131 cm^{-1} transition from the ground state in the ion Th^{3+} is very sensitive to the temporal variation of the fine structure constant alpha (q=-75300 cm^{-1}). The line is very narrow, the ion has been trapped and laser cooled and the positive shifter line 5f_5/2-5f_7/2 4325 cm^{-1} (q=+2900 cm^{-1}) may be used as a reference. A comparison may also be made with a positive shifter in another atom or ion. This makes Th^{3+} a good candidate to search for the alpha variation.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0910.3459,
title = {Enhanced sensitivity to the fine-structure constant variation in Th IV atomic clock transition},
author = {V. V. Flambaum and S. G. Porsev},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0910.3459},
year = {2010}
}