How ytterbium atoms hunt for new forces of nature ⚡ экспресс
Original: "Excluding Hypothetical Light Boson Interpretation of Yb King Plot Nonlinearity with the $${}^1S_0 \leftrightarrow {}^3P_2$$ Isotope Shift Measurement"
Ultra-precise listening to ytterbium atoms didn't detect a fifth force, but refined the search method.
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A tiny difference in the 'voices' of ytterbium atoms helped scientists test whether a fifth force exists in the Universe. It turned out that previous hints of new physics were more likely errors in describing the nuclei. But the method became cleaner and is ready for true discoveries.
🎯 The frequency of atomic transitions in ytterbium has been measured to 18 decimal places. If GPS used such clocks, it would determine your position with millimeter accuracy.