Testing the Pauli Exclusion Principle across the Periodic Table with the VIP-3 Experiment

Area of Science:

• Fundamental Physics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Atomic Physics

Background:

• The Pauli exclusion principle (PEP) is a fundamental quantum mechanics tenet.
• Experimental verification of PEP is crucial for validating quantum mechanics.
• Previous experiments, like the VIP series, have tested PEP using X-ray transitions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the upgraded VIP-3 experimental setup.
• To extend the search for PEP violations to higher-Z elements (Zr, Ag, Pd, Sn).
• To calculate theoretical predictions for PEP-violating energy shifts in these elements.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing an upgraded experimental setup (VIP-3) with advanced silicon drift detectors.
• Performing first-principles calculations using the multi-configurational Dirac-Fock method.
• Searching for PEP-violating atomic X-ray transitions in high-Z elements.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of the enhanced VIP-3 setup, featuring 1 mm thick silicon drift detectors for improved sensitivity.
• Calculated expected PEP-violating energy shifts for characteristic X-ray lines in Zr, Ag, Pd, and Sn.
• Demonstrated enhanced measurement sensitivity at higher energies.

Conclusions:

• The VIP-3 experiment is poised to significantly contribute to the ongoing search for PEP violations.
• This research provides new insights into the validity of PEP for a wider range of elements.
• The findings will guide future experimental and theoretical investigations into fundamental physics principles.