High precision hyperfine measurements in Bismuth challenge bound-state strong-field QED

Nature Communications
Johannes UllmannWilfried Nörtershäuser

Abstract

Electrons bound in highly charged heavy ions such as hydrogen-like bismuth 209Bi82+ experience electromagnetic fields that are a million times stronger than in light atoms. Measuring the wavelength of light emitted and absorbed by these ions is therefore a sensitive testing ground for quantum electrodynamical (QED) effects and especially the electron-nucleus interaction under such extreme conditions. However, insufficient knowledge of the nuclear structure has prevented a rigorous test of strong-field QED. Here we present a measurement of the so-called specific difference between the hyperfine splittings in hydrogen-like and lithium-like bismuth 209Bi82+,80+ with a precision that is improved by more than an order of magnitude. Even though this quantity is believed to be largely insensitive to nuclear structure and therefore the most decisive test of QED in the strong magnetic field regime, we find a 7-σ discrepancy compared with the theoretical prediction.

References

May 1, 2001·Physical Review Letters·V M ShabaevG Soff
Dec 31, 2005·Physical Review Letters·P BeiersdorferE Träbert
Jun 4, 2008·Physical Review Letters·D HannekeG Gabrielse
Jul 9, 2010·Nature·Randolf PohlFranz Kottmann
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Aug 16, 2016·Science·Randolf PohlUNKNOWN CREMA Collaboration

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Citations

Mar 17, 2018·Physical Review Letters·Leonid V SkripnikovAndrey V Volotka
May 31, 2019·Physical Review Letters·V YakimenkoG White
Nov 9, 2019·Physical Review Letters·D A GlazovG Werth
Aug 28, 2020·Physical Review Letters·B M Roberts, J S M Ginges

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray
ESR
NMR

Software Mentioned

ARTEMIS
SpecTrap

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