High-precision spect roscopy on molecular hydrogen and molecular deuterium
Rese archers in Amsterdam and Zurich have taken an important step in extre mely precise measurements of molecular hydrogen and molecular deuteri um - the simplest neutral molecules in the universe. Such precision i s critical because such measurements help physicists test whether our current theories about nature are still correct, or whether there ar e clues to unknown physical phenomena.
Molecular hydrogen consi sts of two hydrogen atoms bound together. Scientists have been trying for more than a century to determine exactly how much energy is requ ired to break that bond: the so-called dissociation energy. Precisely because the molecule is so simple, theorists can make very precise c alculations. Experimental measurements are then the ultimate test. If experiment and theory do not match, it may point to new physics outs ide current models.
Physicist Charlaine Roth and her colleagues developed an innovative measurement method, Ramsey comb spectroscopy , which can be used to investigate energy levels in molecular hydroge n with unprecedented precision. Using this technique, a crucial first energy step was measured 100 times more precisely than before.
Together with researchers at ETH Zurich, the remaining energy requir ed to completely dissociate the two atoms was then also measured. Thi s ultimately allowed the dissociation energy of molecular hydrogen to be determined five times more accurately than previously possible.
The outcome is striking: the new measurements are in complete ag reement with theoretical predictions. This reaffirmed that current ph ysical theories work extremely accurately - but at the same time, the limits of those theories are being tested ever more closely.
T he social and scientific impact of this kind of precision research ex tends beyond fundamental physics alone. Techniques developed for ultr a-sharp spectroscopy often later find applications in, for example, q uantum technology, advanced sensors and high-precision time measureme nts. In addition, future, even more precise experiments could potenti ally reveal anomalies that provide clues about great mysteries in the universe, such as dark matter and dark energy.
Roth: "The resu lts mark the beginning of a new phase in the international race betwe en experiment and theory. Further improvements in measurements will f orce theorists to hone their calculations again - in the quest for an even deeper understanding of the laws of nature that govern our univ erse."
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DESCRIPTION: High-precision spectroscopy on molecular hydrogen and mol ecular deuterium Researchers in Amsterdam and Zurich have taken an im portant step in extremely precise measurements of molecular hydrogen and molecular deuterium - the simplest neutral molecules in the unive rse. Such precision is critical because such measurements help physic ists test whether our current theories about nature are still correct , or whether there are clues to unknown physical phenomena.Molecular hydrogen consists of two hydrogen atoms bound together. Scientists ha ve been trying for more than a century to determine exactly how much energy is required to break that bond: the so-called dissociation ene rgy. Precisely because the molecule is so simple, theorists can make very precise calculations. Experimental measurements are then the ult imate test. If experiment and theory do not match, it may point to ne w physics outside current models.Physicist Charlaine Roth and her col leagues developed an innovative measurement method, Ramsey comb spect roscopy, which can be used to investigate energy levels in molecular hydrogen with unprecedented precision. Using this technique, a crucia l first energy step was measured 100 times more precisely than before .Together with researchers at ETH Zurich, the remaining energy requir ed to completely dissociate the two atoms was then also measured. Thi s ultimately allowed the dissociation energy of molecular hydrogen to be determined five times more accurately than previously possible.Th e outcome is striking: the new measurements are in complete agreement with theoretical predictions. This reaffirmed that current physical theories work extremely accurately - but at the same time, the limits of those theories are being tested ever more closely.The social and scientific impact of this kind of precision research extends beyond f undamental physics alone. Techniques developed for ultra-sharp spectr oscopy often later find applications in, for example, quantum technol ogy, advanced sensors and high-precision time measurements. In additi on, future, even more precise experiments could potentially reveal an omalies that provide clues about great mysteries in the universe, suc h as dark matter and dark energy.Roth: "The results mark the beginnin g of a new phase in the international race between experiment and the ory. Further improvements in measurements will force theorists to hon e their calculations again - in the quest for an even deeper understa nding of the laws of nature that govern our universe."Learn more abou t the dissertation END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR