Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
Published on: May 3, 2019
New limits on variation of the fine-structure constant using atomic dysprosium
N Leefer1, C T M Weber, A Cingöz
1Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-7300, USA.
Scientists measured radio-frequency transitions in dysprosium (Dy) atoms to test for changes in the fine-structure constant (α). Results show no significant variation, providing precise constraints on fundamental physics.
Area of Science:
- Atomic physics
- Fundamental constants
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Atomic dysprosium (Dy) possesses nearly degenerate, opposite-parity excited states.
- These states exhibit high sensitivity to variations in the fine-structure constant (α) due to relativistic effects.
- Isotopic comparisons in Dy can mitigate systematic errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure radio-frequency transitions in Dy isotopes.
- To constrain the variation of the fine-structure constant (α).
- To limit the coupling of α to gravitational potential.
Main Methods:
- Spectroscopy of radio-frequency transitions in 164Dy and 162Dy.
- Precise frequency measurements over a two-year period.
- Isotopic comparisons to reduce systematic uncertainties.
Main Results:
- The linear variation of the fine-structure constant (α) was found to be (-5.8±6.9)×10⁻¹⁷ yr⁻¹, consistent with zero.
- The dimensionless parameter kα was constrained to (-5.5±5.2)×10⁻⁷, also consistent with zero.
- These results provide stringent limits on variations in fundamental constants.
Conclusions:
- Atomic Dy spectroscopy offers a competitive method for probing variations in fundamental constants.
- The study places the best constraints to date on kα, a parameter related to α and gravity.
- No evidence for variation in the fine-structure constant or its coupling to gravity was found within the experimental precision.
More Related Videos
08:44Measurements of Long-range Electronic Correlations During Femtosecond Diffraction Experiments Performed on Nanocrystals of Buckminsterfullerene
Published on: August 22, 2017
07:24Quantitative Atomic-Site Analysis of Functional Dopants/Point Defects in Crystalline Materials by Electron-Channeling-Enhanced Microanalysis
Published on: May 10, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Determination of Crystal Structures
IR Spectroscopy: Hooke's Law Approximation of Molecular Vibration
According to Hooke's law, the vibrational frequency is directly proportional to the...
The de Broglie Wavelength
Crystal Field Theory - Tetrahedral and Square Planar Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Variable-Temperature NMR
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...