Veranstaltungen

Seminar

Institutsseminar

Penning-Trap Tests of Fundamental Physics with Few-Electron Ions

Dr. Matthew Bohman
Max Planck Institute of Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg

Abstract:

Low-energy, high-precision experiments play an important role in searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model, testing our most foundational theories, and determining the values of fundamental constants. The Alphatrap Penning-trap apparatus located at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik in Heidelberg enables several of these experiments in which we trap and perform measurements on single, few-electron ions. I will present the results of three avenues of research we are currently pursuing. First, using dedicated, high voltage electron beam ion traps (EBITs) we produce heavy highly charged such as hydrogen-like Sn49+ and eventually Pb81+. Once trapped, these ions allow us to test quantum electrodynamics (QED) in new regimes and extreme fields via measurements of bound electron g-factors and comparison to theory. Second, we perform similar experiments on hydrogen-like C5+ where the high precision of the QED theory at low Z allows us to determine the mass of the electron. Finally, we have recently applied the methods of precision Penning-trap experiments to molecular hydrogen ions, namely HD+, where we have measured the ground state spin structure to high precision and begun a laser spectroscopy campaign using techniques that can be applied to the anti-hydrogen molecular ion Ħ2-.

13.11.2025 14:00
Seminarraum HI-Jena, Fröbelstieg 3