Shot-noise-limited spin measurements in a pulsed molecular beam

E. Kirilov*, W. C. Campbell, J. M. Doyle, G. Gabrielse, Y. V. Gurevich, P. W. Hess, N. R. Hutzler, B. R. O'Leary, E. Petrik, B. Spaun, A. C. Vutha, D. Demille

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heavy diatomic molecules have been identified as good candidates for use in electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) searches. Suitable molecular species can be produced in pulsed beams, but with a total flux and/or temporal evolution that varies significantly from pulse to pulse. These variations can degrade the experimental sensitivity to changes in the spin precession phase of an electrically polarized state, which is the observable of interest for an eEDM measurement. We present two methods for measurement of the phase that provide immunity to beam temporal variations, and make it possible to reach shot-noise-limited sensitivity. Each method employs rapid projection of the spin state onto both components of an orthonormal basis. We demonstrate both methods using the eEDM-sensitive H3Δ1 state of thorium monoxide, and use one of them to measure the magnetic moment of this state with increased accuracy relative to previous determinations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number013844
JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
Volume88
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 26 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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