Modern Ives-Stilwell Experiments At Storage Rings: Large Boosts Meet High Precision

TL;DR

This paper reviews high-precision time dilation experiments using laser spectroscopy at heavy-ion storage rings, discussing methods, challenges, and future prospects for testing relativity at very high relativistic speeds.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental techniques, challenges, and potential advancements in testing special relativity with high-speed heavy ions.

Findings

Effective methods to eliminate first-order Doppler effects

Identification of experimental pitfalls

Prospects for experiments at higher relativistic gamma factors

Abstract

We give a brief overview of time dilation tests using high-resolution laser spectroscopy at heavy-ion storage rings. We reflect on the various methods used to eliminate the first-order Doppler effect and on the pitfalls encountered, and comment on possible extensions at future facilities providing relativistic heavy ion beams at $\gamma \gg 1$.