Development of a high-resolution optical magnetic-field sensor for experiments to measure the electric dipole moment of the neutron

• Applicant: Dr. Georg Bison
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2010 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 167716229

In the next generation of experiments to measure the electric dipole moment of the neutron (nEDM)precise control of the main magnetic field on an absolute scale will be decisive for the success ofthe experiment. Many different systems for magnetic field control such as Cs magnetometers, Hemagnetometers or SQUIDs are currently discussed. In this proposal we concentrate on improvingoptically pumped Cs magnetometers that were used in EDM experiments already. A recent studyrevealed an effect that produces small systematic errors in the readings of such magnetometers.Such errors are particularly harmful for EDM experiments, but can be corrected in a novel magnetometer scheme which uses several laser beams. The novel scheme also enables us to detect the vector information of the magnetic field which further improves field control. If the full potential of Cs magnetometers can be realized, they will be the most sensitive sensor option for integration times of approximately 100s available today. A joint experiment, in which all available sensor options will be compared, will show to which extend the high potential of the Cs magnetometer can be realized.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1491: Precision Experiments in Particle- and Astrophysics with Cold and Ultracold Neutrons
• Major Instrumentation: Laser
• Instrumentation Group: 5700 Festkörper-Laser