Physics of fundamental Symmetries and Interactions - PSI2010

Session

Session Mo - 3

1 - 3

11 Oct 2010, 14:30

Main Auditorium (WHGA/001) (PSI)

44. Spacetime-Symmetry Violations: Motivations, Phenomenology, and Tests

Ralf Lehnert (UNAM)

11/10/2010, 14:30

Searches for symmetry violations

Oral

An important open question in fundamental physics concerns the nature of spacetime at distance scales associated with the Planck length. The widespread belief that probing such distances necessitates Planck-energy particles has impeded phenomenological and experimental research in this context. However, it has been realized that various theoretical approaches to underlying physics can...

106. Experimental search for Violation of Lorentz Symmetry

Michael Romalis (Princeton University)

11/10/2010, 15:00

Searches for symmetry violations

Oral

Violation of Lorentz symmetry arises in many extensions of the Standard Model aiming to include quantum gravity. Violation of CPT symmetry also necessarily leads to breaking of Lorentz symmetry, allowing CPT tests without the use of anti-particles. Spin coupling to a preferred frame naturally arises in many such models. We use a K-$^3$He co-magnetometer to constrain neutron spin...

0. Probing Lorentz-invariance in 3He/129Xe clock-comparison experiments

Prof. Werner Heil (Institute of Physics)

11/10/2010, 15:30

Oral

Accurate frequency measurements currently give the strongest bounds on the validity of fundamental theories. We present new results from a 3He/129Xe clock-comparison experiment, where the free precession of the nuclear spins is used to probe Einsteins principle of relativity. In particular, the sidereal variation of the 3He/129Xe frequency induced by Lorentz-violating couplings is measured,...

43. A Torsion Pendulum Based Axion Search

Dr Seth Hoedl (University of Washington)

11/10/2010, 15:50

Searches for new forces

Oral

Despite two decades of experimental effort, the elusive axion has yet to be found. Nevertheless, for possible axion masses between 10~$\mu$eV and 10~meV, it remains a well motivated solution to the strong CP problem, and a promising dark matter candidate. Current searches use the axion-two-photon coupling to probe for axions that could be generated in the sun, remnants from the big-bang...