Using the Earth as a Polarized Electron Source to Search for Long-Range Spin-Spin Interactions

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 339; no. 6122; pp. 928 - 932
• Main Authors: Hunter, Larry, Gordon, Joel, Peck, Stephen, Ang, Daniel, Lin, Jung-Fu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 22.02.2013; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Density; Earth; Earth mantle; Electric fields; Electron sources; Electrons; Geochemistry; Geomagnetic field; Geomagnetic fields; Geophysics; Laboratory Experiments; Magnetic fields; Mantle; Mathematical models; Minerals; Neutrons; Nuclear spin; Particle interactions; Particle physics; Physics; Position measurement; RESEARCH ARTICLE; Searching; Universe
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1227460

Many particle-physics models that extend the standard model predict the existence of long-range spin-spin interactions. We propose an approach that uses the Earth as a polarized spin source to investigate these interactions. Using recent deep-Earth geophysics and geochemistry results, we create a comprehensive map of electron polarization within the Earth induced by the geomagnetic field. We examine possible long-range interactions between these spin-polarized geoelectrons and the spin-polarized electrons and nucleons in three laboratory experiments. By combining our model and the results from these experiments, we establish bounds on torsion gravity and possible long-range spin-spin forces associated with the virtual exchange of either spin-one axial bosons or unparticles.