Search

We developed a laser frequency stabilization and an optical fiber transmission system for the the francium electric dipole moment search. The absolute accuracy of a laser frequency stabilization scheme using a state-of-the-art commercial wavelength meter was 0.48 MHz at ±2 nm and -1.33 MHz at ±200 nm from calibration wavelength, respectively, and the frequency instability is below 10-9 with a standard deviation of 0.56 MHz over 60 hours. We also demonstrated that a 400 m long fiber laid between laboratories can transmit 30 mW of trapping laser light, which is sufficient for a magneto-optical trapping of francium. The polarization crosstalk in the fiber was stable at -25 dB over 12 hours of measurement.

The laboratory condition where charged particle fusion reactions have been done is not exactly the same as that of stellar condition. To probe details of reaction and to test the prediction of standard solar model we need more precise data for charged particle fusion experiments in the laboratories. We propose several experimental approaches to reduce the ambiguity of the estimation of screening potential value which is crucial for obtaining the astrophysical S-factor. Experiment with bare target and bare beam interaction will be done by using proposed Electron Beam Ion Trap apparatus (NARITA).

The finite value of an electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) provides the direct evidence for the violation of time reversal symmetry. Fr atoms, whose enhancement factor is 895, trapped by laser cooling and trapping techniques are one of the strongest candidates for measuring the eEDM. We are constructing a beamline for measuring the eEDM using laser- cooled Fr atoms at the Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center. We have developed laser light sources including the frequency stabilization system and a magneto-optical trap system for Fr atoms. As the Fr production requires the cyclotron operation, we also use Rb atoms whose chemical properties are similar to those of the Fr atoms. Thus, the Rb beam is utilized for optimizing the operation parameters of the entire apparatus. We have also developed the laser light sources for Rb atoms and observed the beat signal for frequency stabilization of the source using the frequency offset locking method.