Probing new light force-mediators by isotope shift spectroscopy
Résumé
In this Letter we explore the potential of probing new light force-carriers,with spin-independent couplings to the electron and the neutron, usingprecision isotope shift spectroscopy. We develop a formalism to interpretlinear King plots as bounds on new physics with minimal theory inputs. We focusonly on bounding the new physics contributions that can be calculatedindependently of the Standard Model nuclear effects. We apply our method toexisting Ca+ data and project its sensitivity to possibly existing new bosonsusing narrow transitions in other atoms and ions (specifically, Sr and Yb).Future measurements are expected to improve the relative precision by fiveorders of magnitude, and can potentially lead to an unprecedented sensitivityfor bosons within the 10 keV to 10 MeV mass range.