• Featured in Physics

Test of Time Dilation Using Stored Li+ Ions as Clocks at Relativistic Speed

Benjamin Botermann, Dennis Bing, Christopher Geppert, Gerald Gwinner, Theodor W. Hänsch, Gerhard Huber, Sergei Karpuk, Andreas Krieger, Thomas Kühl, Wilfried Nörtershäuser, Christian Novotny, Sascha Reinhardt, Rodolfo Sánchez, Dirk Schwalm, Thomas Stöhlker, Andreas Wolf, and Guido Saathoff
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 120405 – Published 16 September 2014; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 239902 (2015)
Physics logo See Synopsis: Relativity is Right on Time, Again

Abstract

We present the concluding result from an Ives-Stilwell-type time dilation experiment using Li+7 ions confined at a velocity of β=v/c=0.338 in the storage ring ESR at Darmstadt. A Λ-type three-level system within the hyperfine structure of the Li+7S13P23 line is driven by two laser beams aligned parallel and antiparallel relative to the ion beam. The lasers’ Doppler shifted frequencies required for resonance are measured with an accuracy of <4×109 using optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. This allows us to verify the special relativity relation between the time dilation factor γ and the velocity β, γ1β2=1 to within ±2.3×109 at this velocity. The result, which is singled out by a high boost velocity β, is also interpreted within Lorentz invariance violating test theories.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 30 May 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.120405

© 2014 American Physical Society

Erratum

Erratum: Test of Time Dilation Using Stored Li+ Ions as Clocks at Relativistic Speed [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 120405 (2014)]

Benjamin Botermann, Dennis Bing, Christopher Geppert, Gerald Gwinner, Theodor W. Hänsch, Gerhard Huber, Sergei Karpuk, Andreas Krieger, Thomas Kühl, Wilfried Nörtershäuser, Christian Novotny, Sascha Reinhardt, Rodolfo Sánchez, Dirk Schwalm, Thomas Stöhlker, Andreas Wolf, and Guido Saathoff
Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 239902 (2015)

Synopsis

Key Image

Relativity is Right on Time, Again

Published 16 September 2014

An experiment with fast-moving ions verifies relativistic time dilation to a new level of precision, placing constraints on certain quantum gravity theories.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Benjamin Botermann1, Dennis Bing2, Christopher Geppert1,3,4, Gerald Gwinner5, Theodor W. Hänsch6, Gerhard Huber7, Sergei Karpuk7, Andreas Krieger1, Thomas Kühl3, Wilfried Nörtershäuser1,3,8, Christian Novotny4, Sascha Reinhardt6, Rodolfo Sánchez4, Dirk Schwalm2, Thomas Stöhlker3, Andreas Wolf2, and Guido Saathoff6

  • 1Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Institut für Kernchemie, 55128 Mainz, Germany
  • 2Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
  • 4Helmholtzinstitut Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
  • 5Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3 T 2N2, Canada
  • 6Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, 85748 Garching, Germany
  • 7Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Institut für Physik, 55128 Mainz, Germany
  • 8TU Darmstadt, Institut für Kernphysik, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 113, Iss. 12 — 19 September 2014

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×