Natural line profile asymmetry

TL;DR

This paper investigates the natural asymmetry in spectral line profiles caused by photon scattering in quantum electrodynamics, emphasizing its importance for high-precision hydrogen spectroscopy and fundamental physics tests.

Contribution

It highlights the necessity of considering natural line profile asymmetry in precision spectroscopic measurements, based on experimental data from hydrogen atom transitions.

Findings

Line profile asymmetry affects spectral measurements.

Asymmetry must be accounted for in high-precision experiments.

Implications for fundamental constant determination.

Abstract

The paper discusses the line profile asymmetry of the photon scattering process that arises naturally in quantum electrodynamics (QED). Based on precision spectroscopic experiments conducted on hydrogen atoms, we focus our attention on the two-photon $1s-2s$ transition. As one of the most precisely determined transition frequencies, it is a key pillar of optical frequency standards and is used in determining fundamental physical constants, testing physical principles, and searching constraints on new fundamental interactions. The results obtained in this work show the need to take into account the natural line profile asymmetry in precision spectroscopic experiments.