QUEST researchers have demonstrated: New method of precision
spectroscopy allows unprecedented accuracy
Quantum logic spectroscopy - which is closely linked with
the name of the 2012 Nobel prize laureate, David J. Wineland - has been
significantly extended: this new method is called "photon-recoil
spectroscopy" (PRS). The potential of this method has been demonstrated by
the research group led by Piet Schmidt from the QUEST Institute, which is based
at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, together with colleagues from
Leibniz University Hannover. In contrast to the original quantum logic
technique, the new method enables the investigation of very fast transitions in
atoms or molecules. The results have been published in the current edition of
Nature Communications. With this new method, spectroscopic investigations will
be possible on nearly any kind of particles. The only condition is that they
absorb just a few photons from a laser beam. This not only allows extremely
accurate frequency measurements, but also increases the chances of finding
discrepancies in observations of a possible change in the fine-structure
constant. Furthermore, numerous other applications will arise, for instance in
astronomy or chemistry.