Critical Tests of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in heavy atomic systems. The 2005 Nobel prize was awarded for high-precision spectroscopy and a critical test of QED in light atomic systems. This led to dramatic applications to constants of nature and Quantum Optics. Our research has also developed state-of-the-art detector and spectrometer technology in pursuit of fundamental knowledge, but in the X-ray regime. We will make major progress for heavy atomic systems. Applications include the deve ....Critical Tests of Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in heavy atomic systems. The 2005 Nobel prize was awarded for high-precision spectroscopy and a critical test of QED in light atomic systems. This led to dramatic applications to constants of nature and Quantum Optics. Our research has also developed state-of-the-art detector and spectrometer technology in pursuit of fundamental knowledge, but in the X-ray regime. We will make major progress for heavy atomic systems. Applications include the development of a few-electron calibration lamp, widely discussed as a new energy standard. These studies provide data, physical insights and highly skilled personnel for Australia's future in frontier technologies. Our fundamental research has led to two orders of magnitude improvement in mammographic diagnostic accuracy.Read moreRead less
The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and ....The first critical tests of many-body and correlated Quantum Electro-Dynamics (QED) in medium-Z atomic systems. Major difficulties are being encountered in the computation of high-order and correlated terms of Quantum Electro-Dynamical effects in atoms. We will make the first measurements for medium-Z atoms critically sensitive to two-electron QED, and the first tests of QED in this region accurate to 1%. This accuracy will allow new insight into two-electron systems, theoretical approaches, and recent observed discrepancies between QED theory and experiment. This proposal follows recent successful experimental work using new capabilities of Electron-Beam Ion Traps (EBITs). Our recent publications have proven that this novel approach can yield new insight into the interaction of light with matter.Read moreRead less