Optical atomic clock aboard an Earth-orbiting space station (OACESS): enhancing searches for physics beyond the standard model in space. (1st January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schkolnik, Vladimir; Budker, Dmitry; Fartmann, Oliver; Flambaum, Victor; Hollberg, Leo; Kalaydzhyan, Tigran; Kolkowitz, Shimon; Krutzik, Markus; Ludlow, Andrew; Newbury, Nathan; Pyrlik, Christoph; Sinclair, Laura; Stadnik, Yevgeny; Tietje, Ingmari; Ye, Jun; Williams, Jason
• Is Part Of: Quantum science and technology. Volume 8:Number 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Subjects: dark matter -- space -- optical clock -- fundamental physics; Quantum theory -- Periodicals; Quantum theory; Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/2058-9565/ac9f2b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2058-9565

Abstract

Abstract: We present a concept for a high-precision optical atomic clock (OAC) operating on an Earth-orbiting space station. This pathfinder science mission will compare the space-based OAC with one or more ultra-stable terrestrial OACs to search for space-time-dependent signatures of dark scalar fields that manifest as anomalies in the relative frequencies of station-based and ground-based clocks. This opens the possibility of probing models of new physics that are inaccessible to purely ground-based OAC experiments where a dark scalar field may potentially be strongly screened near Earth's surface. This unique enhancement of sensitivity to potential dark matter candidates harnesses the potential of space-based OACs.