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arXiv · 0705.2401

Pulsed beams as field probes for precision measurement

J. J. Hudson·H. T. Ashworth·D. M. Kara·M. R. Tarbutt·B. E. Sauer·E. A. Hinds
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Abstract

We describe a technique for mapping the spatial variation of static electric, static magnetic, and rf magnetic fields using a pulsed atomic or molecular beam. The method is demonstrated using a beam designed to measure the electric dipole moment of the electron. We present maps of the interaction region, showing sensitivity to (i) electric field variation of 1.5 V/cm at 3.3 kV/cm with a spatial resolution of 15 mm; (ii) magnetic field variation of 5 nT with 25 mm resolution; (iii) radio-frequency magnetic field amplitude with 15 mm resolution. This new diagnostic technique is very powerful in the context of high-precision atomic and molecular physics experiments, where pulsed beams have not hitherto found widespread application.

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J. J. Hudson, H. T. Ashworth, D. M. Kara, M. R. Tarbutt, B. E. Sauer, E. A. Hinds. 2007-05-16. Pulsed beams as field probes for precision measurement. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.76.033410

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