Towards High Precision Spectroscopy on Antihydrogen

The matter and antimatter asymmetry that is observed within our universe is one of the more prevasive questions remaining in modern physics today. While theoretically appearing in equal amounts, physicists observe a distinct lack of antimatter in our universe, the nature of which is unknown. The Antihydrogen Laser Physics Apparatus (ALPHA) Collaboration is an international collaboration based at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, that is focused on the study of the antihydrogen atom in search for possible deviations that may have resulted in the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry we see today. Through detailed studies and comparisons between the antihydrogen atom with the hydrogen atom, which is one of the most well-known atoms in atomic physics, we are searching for possible discrepancies in the constitution and interactions within the two atoms. The objective of the proposed project is to aid in the improvement and development of various parts of the infrastructure at the ALPHA Collaboration in order to perform high precision spectroscopy measurements. Our aim is to improve these spectroscopic measurements through the fine control of the atoms quantum states and energies with the use of microwaves and advanced magnetic field measurements.

Faculty Supervisor:

Timothy Friesen

Student:

Partner:

Conseil européen en recherche nucléaire

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Quantum Science

University:

University of Calgary

Program: