Precision physics of simple atoms and constraints on a light boson with ultraweak coupling

TL;DR

This paper develops constraints on hypothetical light bosons with ultraweak couplings using atomic physics data, providing the strongest limits to date on their interaction strength within a specific mass range.

Contribution

It introduces new constraints on spin-dependent and spin-independent Yukawa potentials at atomic scales, covering a broad mass range and utilizing spectroscopic and magnetic moment data.

Findings

Strongest constraint on coupling constant $oldsymbol{ ext{α}'}$ at 10^{-13} to 10^{-16} level.

Constraints applicable to boson masses from 1 eV/c^2 to 1 MeV/c^2.

Derived from low-energy QED tests and atomic spectroscopy data.

Abstract

Constraint on spin-dependent and spin-independent Yukawa potential at atomic scale is developed. That covers constraints on a coupling constant of an additional photon $\gamma^*$ and a pseudovector boson. The mass range considered is from $1\;{\rm eV}/c^2$ to $1\;{\rm MeV}/c^2$. The strongest constraint on a coupling constant $\alpha^\prime$ is at the level of a few parts in $10^{13}$ (for $\gamma^*$) and below one part in $10^{16}$ (for a pseudovector) corresponding to mass below $1\;{\rm keV}/c^2$. The constraints are derived from low-energy tests of quantum electrodynamics and are based on spectroscopic data on light hydrogen-like atoms and experiments with magnetic moments of leptons and light nuclei.