Experimental Constraint on an Exotic Parity-Odd Spin- and Velocity-Dependent Interaction with a Single Electron Spin Quantum Sensor

TL;DR

This study uses a single electron spin quantum sensor based on a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond to set new, more stringent laboratory constraints on an exotic spin- and velocity-dependent interaction at micrometer scales.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach employing a nitrogen-vacancy center to improve constraints on exotic interactions between polarized electrons and moving nucleons.

Findings

Set new upper limits on exotic interactions at 1-330 μm range.

Improved the laboratory limit on coupling constant by over four orders of magnitude.

Demonstrated the effectiveness of quantum sensors in probing fundamental physics.

Abstract

n improved laboratory bound on the exotic spin- and velocity-dependent interaction at micrometer scale is established with a single electron spin quantum sensor. The single electron spin of a near-surface nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond is utilized as the quantum sensor and a vibrating half-sphere lens is taken as the source of the moving nucleons. The exotic interaction between the polarized electron and the moving nucleon source is explored by measuring the possible magnetic field felt by the electron spin quantum sensor. Our experiment set improved constraints on the exotic spin- and velocity-dependent interaction within the force range from 1 to 330 $\mu$m. The upper limit of the coupling $g_A^eg_V^N $ at $200 ~\mu m$ is $| g_A^e g_V^N| \leq 8.0\times10^{-19}$, significantly improving the current laboratory limit by more than four orders of magnitude.