A new method for measuring a possible time dependence of the fine-structure constant (alpha) is proposed. The method is based on the level crossing in two-electron highly charged ions facilitating resonance laser measurements of the distance between the levels at the point of crossing. This provides an enhancement factor of about 10(3) in heliumlike dysprosium and thus reduces the requirements for the relative accuracy of resonance laser measurements at about 10(-12).

Original languageEnglish
Article number243002
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume94
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Jun 2005

    Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

    Research areas

  • FINE-STRUCTURE CONSTANT, 1S-2S TRANSITION, ATOMIC-HYDROGEN, SPECTROSCOPY, EXCITATION

ID: 28527440