Accurate prediction of clock transitions in a highly charged ion with complex electronic structure

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new computational method that significantly improves the accuracy of predicting atomic properties in complex ions, exemplified by Ir$^{17+}$, aiding the development of atomic clocks and fundamental physics research.

Contribution

The authors developed a broadly applicable computational approach that enhances the accuracy of predicting properties of complex atoms, demonstrated on Ir$^{17+}$ for atomic clock applications.

Findings

Accurate predictions of transition wavelengths and E1 transition rates in Ir$^{17+}$.

Theoretical results explain the non-observation of certain E1 transitions.

Method is applicable to most elements, aiding various physics fields.

Abstract

We have developed a broadly-applicable approach that drastically increases the ability to accurately predict properties of complex atoms. We applied it to the case of Ir$^{17+}$, which is of particular interest for the development of novel atomic clocks with high sensitivity to the variation of the fine-structure constant and dark matter searches. The clock transitions are weak and very difficult to identity without accurate theoretical predictions. In the case of Ir$^{17+}$, even stronger electric-dipole (E1) transitions eluded observation despite years of effort raising the possibility that theory predictions are grossly wrong. In this work, we provide accurate predictions of transition wavelengths and E1 transition rates in Ir$^{17+}$. Our results explain the lack of observation of the E1 transitions and provide a pathway towards detection of clock transitions. Computational advances demonstrated in this work are widely applicable to most elements in the periodic table and will allow to solve numerous problems in atomic physics, astrophysics, and plasma physics.