Test of the linearity of quantum mechanics in an atomic system with a hydrogen maser

We extend a nonlinear generalization of quantum mechanics, recently formulated by Weinberg, to systems of composite spin, such as atoms. We have used hydrogen (H) masers to set a limit of 3.7{times}10{sup 20} eV (8.9 {mu} Hz) on the magnitude of a nonlinear correction to the quantum mechanics of ato...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 1990-05, Vol.64 (22), p.2599-2602
Main Authors: WALSWORTH, R. L, SILVERA, I. F, MATTISON, E. M, VESSOT, R. F. C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AMPLIFIERS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
Classical and quantum physics: mechanics and fields
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
Exact sciences and technology
FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT
HYPERFINE STRUCTURE
MASERS
MEASURING METHODS
MECHANICS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PARTICLE PROPERTIES 640302 > Atomic, Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
Physics
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SPIN
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Summary:We extend a nonlinear generalization of quantum mechanics, recently formulated by Weinberg, to systems of composite spin, such as atoms. We have used hydrogen (H) masers to set a limit of 3.7{times}10{sup 20} eV (8.9 {mu} Hz) on the magnitude of a nonlinear correction to the quantum mechanics of atomic spins. This result is of comparable magnitude to the limit recently set in a single-valued (nuclear) spin system. In the absence of nonlinear effects, the experiment provides a new and stringent test of H-maser clock performance and the applicability of standard maser theory.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.2599