Effects of the long-range neutrino-mediated force in atomic phenomena

Abstract

As known, electron vacuum polarisation by nuclear Coulomb field produces the Uehling potential with the range $\hslash /2m_{e}c$. Similarly, neutrino vacuum polarisation by the Z boson field produces a long-range potential $\sim G_F^2/r^5$ with a very large range $\hslash /2m_{\nu }c$. Measurements of macroscopic effects produced by the potential $G_{\mathrm{eff}}^2/r^5$ give limits on the effective interaction constant $G_{\mathrm{eff}}$ which exceed Fermi constant $G_F$ by many orders of magnitude, while limits from the spectroscopy of simple atomic systems are approaching the Standard Model predictions. In this paper, we consider limits on $G_{\mathrm{eff}}$ from hydrogen, muonium, positronium, deuteron and molecular hydrogen. Constraints are also obtained on fifth force parameterised by Yukawa-type potential mediated by a scalar particle.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• neutrino
• long-range potential
• atomic spectroscopy
• deuteron

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Australian Research Council [Grants Nos. DP190100974 and DP200100150].