Testing Quantum Electrodynamics with Exotic Atoms

TL;DR

This paper proposes using exotic atoms with circular Rydberg states to test quantum electrodynamics more precisely, minimizing nuclear uncertainties and leveraging advanced quantum sensors for enhanced sensitivity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach employing exotic atoms and specific transitions to reduce nuclear uncertainties in QED tests, enabling more accurate measurements.

Findings

Transitions between circular Rydberg states have negligible nuclear contributions.

Quantum sensors can enhance measurement sensitivity by 1-2 orders of magnitude.

Mean electric fields in these systems surpass the Schwinger limit.

Abstract

Precision study of few-electron, high-$Z$ ions is a privileged field for probing high-field, bound-state quantum electrodynamics (BSQED). However, the accuracy of such tests is plagued by nuclear uncertainties, which are often larger than the BSQED effects under investigation. We propose an alternative method with exotic atoms, and show that transitions may be found between circular Rydberg states where nuclear contributions are vanishing while BSQED effects remain large. When probed with newly available quantum sensing detectors, these systems offer gains in sensitivity of \numrange{1}{2} orders of magnitude, while the mean electric field in these systems largely exceeds the Schwinger limit.