<i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search
The isotopic shift of the bound-electron <i>g</i> factor in highly charged ions (HCI) provides a sensitive probe for testing physics beyond the Standard Model, particularly through interactions mediated by a hypothetical scalar boson. In this study, we analyze the sensitivity of this met...
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| author | Dmitry S. Akulov Rinat R. Abdullin Dmitry V. Chubukov Dmitry A. Glazov Andrey V. Volotka |
| author_facet | Dmitry S. Akulov Rinat R. Abdullin Dmitry V. Chubukov Dmitry A. Glazov Andrey V. Volotka |
| author_sort | Dmitry S. Akulov |
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| description | The isotopic shift of the bound-electron <i>g</i> factor in highly charged ions (HCI) provides a sensitive probe for testing physics beyond the Standard Model, particularly through interactions mediated by a hypothetical scalar boson. In this study, we analyze the sensitivity of this method within the Higgs portal framework, focusing on the uncertainties introduced by quantum electrodynamics corrections, including finite nuclear size, nuclear recoil, and nuclear polarization effects. All calculations are performed for the ground-state <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>1</mn><mi>s</mi></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> configuration of hydrogen-like HCI, where theoretical predictions are most accurate. Using selected isotope pairs (e.g., <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>He</mi><mrow><mn>4</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>6</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Ne</mi><mrow><mn>20</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>22</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Ca</mi><mrow><mn>40</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>48</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Sn</mi><mrow><mn>120</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>132</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Th</mi><mrow><mn>230</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>232</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>), we demonstrate that the dominant source of uncertainty arises from finite nuclear size corrections, which currently limit the precision of new physics searches. Our results indicate that the sensitivity of this method decreases with increasing atomic number. These findings highlight the necessity of improved nuclear radius measurements and the development of alternative approaches, such as the special differences method, to enable virtually the detection of fifth-force interactions. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c5c67a16f5c74b029560a09508c9731f2025-06-25T13:27:57ZengMDPI AGAtoms2218-20042025-06-011365210.3390/atoms13060052<i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics SearchDmitry S. Akulov0Rinat R. Abdullin1Dmitry V. Chubukov2Dmitry A. Glazov3Andrey V. Volotka4School of Physics and Engineering, ITMO University, Kronverkskiy 49, St. Petersburg 197101, RussiaSchool of Physics and Engineering, ITMO University, Kronverkskiy 49, St. Petersburg 197101, RussiaSchool of Physics and Engineering, ITMO University, Kronverkskiy 49, St. Petersburg 197101, RussiaSchool of Physics and Engineering, ITMO University, Kronverkskiy 49, St. Petersburg 197101, RussiaSchool of Physics and Engineering, ITMO University, Kronverkskiy 49, St. Petersburg 197101, RussiaThe isotopic shift of the bound-electron <i>g</i> factor in highly charged ions (HCI) provides a sensitive probe for testing physics beyond the Standard Model, particularly through interactions mediated by a hypothetical scalar boson. In this study, we analyze the sensitivity of this method within the Higgs portal framework, focusing on the uncertainties introduced by quantum electrodynamics corrections, including finite nuclear size, nuclear recoil, and nuclear polarization effects. All calculations are performed for the ground-state <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mn>1</mn><mi>s</mi></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula> configuration of hydrogen-like HCI, where theoretical predictions are most accurate. Using selected isotope pairs (e.g., <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>He</mi><mrow><mn>4</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>6</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Ne</mi><mrow><mn>20</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>22</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Ca</mi><mrow><mn>40</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>48</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Sn</mi><mrow><mn>120</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>132</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><msup><mi>Th</mi><mrow><mn>230</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>232</mn></mrow></msup></semantics></math></inline-formula>), we demonstrate that the dominant source of uncertainty arises from finite nuclear size corrections, which currently limit the precision of new physics searches. Our results indicate that the sensitivity of this method decreases with increasing atomic number. These findings highlight the necessity of improved nuclear radius measurements and the development of alternative approaches, such as the special differences method, to enable virtually the detection of fifth-force interactions.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/13/6/52quantum electrodynamicsbound-electron g factorfifth-force searchHiggs portal modelfinite nuclear size correctionsisotopic shift |
| spellingShingle | Dmitry S. Akulov Rinat R. Abdullin Dmitry V. Chubukov Dmitry A. Glazov Andrey V. Volotka <i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search Atoms quantum electrodynamics bound-electron g factor fifth-force search Higgs portal model finite nuclear size corrections isotopic shift |
| title | <i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search |
| title_full | <i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search |
| title_fullStr | <i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search |
| title_short | <i>g</i>-Factor Isotopic Shifts: Theoretical Limits on New Physics Search |
| title_sort | i g i factor isotopic shifts theoretical limits on new physics search |
| topic | quantum electrodynamics bound-electron g factor fifth-force search Higgs portal model finite nuclear size corrections isotopic shift |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/13/6/52 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dmitrysakulov igifactorisotopicshiftstheoreticallimitsonnewphysicssearch AT rinatrabdullin igifactorisotopicshiftstheoreticallimitsonnewphysicssearch AT dmitryvchubukov igifactorisotopicshiftstheoreticallimitsonnewphysicssearch AT dmitryaglazov igifactorisotopicshiftstheoreticallimitsonnewphysicssearch AT andreyvvolotka igifactorisotopicshiftstheoreticallimitsonnewphysicssearch |