Electroweak effects in atomic physics

• Grant number: 17/12396-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Diogo Rodrigues Boito
• Grantee: Cristiane Yumi Mise London
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/20689-9 - Precise determination of fundamental QCD parameters, AP.JP

Abstract

The study of atomic energy levels, in particular those of the Hydrogen atom, is one of the great successes of Quantum Mechanics. It is possible to make extremely precise predictions for the energy levels, including small corrections known as fine and hyper-fine that must be calculated with Quantum Field Theory methods. With the recent experimental discovery of the Higgs boson, the possibility of detection of effects due to this new particle in atomic physics has been considered. In spite of the short range of the associated potential, these effects can still be orders of magnitude larger than predicted in the SM because, at present, the Higgs couplings to light particles, such as the electron and quarks u and d, is poorly known. The goal of this project is to calculate effects due to electroweak physics in bound states such as the Hydrogen atom, the positronium, and atoms of many electrons. It will be, certainly, a good path for the student to be in contact with advanced methods of Quantum Mechanics and Particle Physics. (AU)