Coherent Optical Metrology Beyond Electric-Dipole-Allowed Transitions

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Adriana Palffy-Buß
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 534051539

Objectives: The goal of this project is to develop experimental and theoretical methodology that allows to measure fundamental constants (fine-structure and strong-force-interaction constants, proton-to-electron mass ratio) at a conceptually more sensitive level. Methods: The core of COMB.AT is to use light carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) to improve current precision spectroscopy schemes in molecular and nuclear spectroscopy. We aim to increase the sensitivity of measurements by coupling light with OAM to transitions that are electric-dipole forbidden, but magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole allowed. Our project naturally bridges molecular and nuclear spectroscopy, sharing common concepts, methods and technologies. We target precision measurements on two very different systems: a vacuum ultraviolet nuclear transition in the 229 Th nucleus and the first overtone transition in carbon monosulfide as a model molecule for heteronuclear diatomic molecules.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Oliver Heckl