Effect of alpha variation on the vibrational spectrum of Sr_2

Abstract

We consider the effect of $\alpha$ variation on the vibrational spectrum of Sr${}_2$ in the context of a planned experiment to test the stability of $\mu \equiv m_e/m_p$ using optically trapped Sr${}_2$ molecules [Zelevinsky et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 100}, 043201; Kotochigova et al., Phys. Rev. A {\bf 79}, 012504]. We find the prospective experiment to be 3 to 4 times less sensitive to fractional variation in $\alpha$ as it is to fractional variation in $\mu$. Depending on the precision ultimately achieved by the experiment, this result may give justification for the neglect of $\alpha$ variation or, alternatively, may call for its explicit consideration in the interpretation of experimental results.

5 pages, 3 figures

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• Indications of a spatial variation of the fine structure constant
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• Stability of the proton-to-electron mass ratio
• Enhanced sensitivity to variation of $m_e/m_p$ in molecular spectra
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• Efficient production of long-lived ultracold Sr${}_2$ molecules
• High-precision spectroscopy of ultracold molecules in an optical lattice
• Calculation of two-centre two-electron integrals over Slater-type orbitals revisited. III. Case study of the beryllium dimer
• Optical lattice clocks with weakly bound molecules
• Control of Optical Transitions with Magnetic Fields in Weakly Bound Molecules
• Search for variation of fundamental constants: Strong enhancements in $X^2\Pi$ cations of dihalogens and hydrogen halides
• Statistical sensitivity of phase measurements via laser-induced fluorescence with optical cycling detection
• Combining Slater-type orbitals and effective core potentials
• Accurate Determination of Blackbody Radiation Shifts in a Strontium Molecular Lattice Clock
• Ab initio electronic structure of the Sr${}_2^{+}$ molecular ion