Breakthrough optical fiber link between CERN, Paris to boost antimatter research
A new optical fiber connection linking CERN and the French National Metrological Institute in Paris is now operational to provide a stable frequency reference for antimatter experiments.
This connection supports research into the fundamental properties of antimatter. It promises precision improvements, which are crucial to uncover potential differences between matter and antimatter.
“A new optical fibre link between CERN and Paris will provide the Laboratory with an accurate frequency reference, enhancing precision and supporting experiments like ALPHA in their search for matter–antimatter differences,” said CERN in a press release.
The Standard Model of particle physics posits that the laws of physics should be the same for matter and antimatter. It suggests that the universe should behave consistently across these transformations.
However, scientists at CERN are pushing the boundaries of knowledge by meticulously studying the properties of antimatter.
CERN’s antimatter studies through ALPHA
The ALPHA experiment, for instance, investigates the spectral properties of antihydrogen, the antimatter counterpart of hydrogen. By comparing these properties to those of normal hydrogen, researchers can test the fundamental principle of CPT symmetry.
“Due to the central role of fundamental symmetry in quantum field theory, discovering even a small violation of this principle, known as charge-parity-time (CPT) symmetry, would suggest that our understanding is incomplete and could point to new physics beyond the Standard Model,” explained CERN.
ALPHA uses spectroscopy to examine antihydrogen. It employs lasers and microwaves on antihydrogen atoms and measures atomic responses, expressed as frequencies, which reveal energy levels.
To achieve the necessary precision, ALPHA requires highly accurate clocks. The newly installed cesium fountain clock, combined with the optical fiber link to the French National Metrological Institute, will enable the experiment to make measurements with unprecedented accuracy.
This development will allow scientists to delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe and potentially uncover new physics beyond the Standard Model.
Additional benefits of optical fiber link
The new link, combined with the caesium fountain clock, enables ALPHA to achieve the necessary precision for meaningful comparisons.
“For ALPHA, both the optical fibre link and the caesium fountain clock play important roles in making antihydrogen measurements with a precision that matches that of the hydrogen measurements,” said physicist Janko Nauta from the ALPHA collaboration.
Beyond transmitting timing signals, the optical fiber link also reduces measurement noise. This enables long-term monitoring of clock stability and ensures accuracy. Moreover, the connection allows for the future use of optical quantum clocks, which offer the potential for even greater stability.
The optical fiber link is part of the REFIMEVE+ network, which aims to distribute ultra-stable optical frequency references to research laboratories across France and beyond. By connecting multiple experiments at CERN to this network, the laboratory can improve the precision of its clocks and access Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) with greater accuracy.
“Having more sources allows a more precise synchronisation of the local clocks and increases the robustness of the service,” concluded Edoardo Martelli from CERN.
ALPHA’s prior measurements have already constrained CPT symmetry violations, but with this new optical fiber link, the collaboration will conduct even more sensitive tests.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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Breakthrough optical fiber link between CERN, Paris to boost antimatter research