Sign In / Sign Out
Navigation for Entire University
William Terrano
Asst Professor
Faculty
TEMPE Campus
Mailcode
1504
Research Interests
My focus is on determining the fundamental laws physics via precision measurements. My main interests are in
" searching for a possible fifth force,
" testing the symmetries of the standard model, and
" measuring properties of dark matter.
Currently I am working on experiments using quantum states with a large number of coherently polarized nuclear spins. By using such a macroscopic quantum state, very small perturbations to their behaviour can be detected. The current iteration under construction on the Tempe campus is designed to improve over existing experiments by 1000x. This will allow to us study new interactions at far greater sensitivity than before, and pave the way for future experiments at here-to-for unthinkable levels.
The central challenge of the experiment is intrinsically interesting: how to produce and control a quantum state with sufficiently high fidelity to be sure that any detected anomalies are due to violations of the laws of physics as we know them today. The practical work involves the use of cutting-edge quantum technologies like spin-exchange optical pumping and couping the nuclei into SQUIDs (superconducting quantum interference device).
Research Group
Interested graduate students and post-docs should reach out!
Publications
Link to all publications: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/search/q=author%3A%22Terrano%2C%20William%22&sort=date%20desc%2C%20bibcode%20desc&p_=0
Selected Publications:
• Comagnetometer probes of dark matter and new physics, Terrano, W. A., Romalis, M. V., Quant. Sci. Tech. 7, 1 (2022).
• Stochastic properties of ultralight scalar field gradients, Lisanti, M., Moschella, M. & Terrano, W., Phys. Rev. D. 104, 5, 055037 (2021)
• Constraints on Axionlike Dark Matter with Masses Down to 10-23 eV/c2 Terrano, W. A., Adelberger, E. G., Hagedorn, C. A. & Heckel, B. R., Phys. Rev. Lett.. 122, 23, 231301 (2019).
• Frequency shifts in noble-gas comagnetometers, Terrano, W. A., Meinel, J., Sachdeva, N., Chupp, T. E., Degenkolb, S., Fierlinger, P., Kuchler, F. & Singh, J. T., Phys. Rev. A. 100, 1, 012502 (2019)
• New Limit on the Permanent Electric Dipole Moment of Xe 129 Using He 3 Comagnetometry and SQUID Detection, Sachdeva, N., et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 14, 143003 (2019)
• Spin precession experiments for light axionic dark matter, Graham, P. W., Kaplan, D. E., Mardon, J., Rajendran, S., Terrano, W. A., Trahms, L. & Wilkason, T., Phys. Rev. D. 97, 5, 056013 (2018)
• Dark matter direct detection with accelerometers, Graham, P. W., Kaplan, D. E., Mardon, J., Rajendran, S. & Terrano, W. A., Phys. Rev. D. 93, 7, 075029 (2016).
• Short-Range, Spin-Dependent Interactions of Electrons: A Probe for Exotic Pseudo-Goldstone Bosons, Terrano, W. A., Adelberger, E. G., Lee, J. G. & Heckel, B. R, Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 20, 201801 (2015).
• Chandra observations and classification of active galactic nucleus candidates correlated with auger UHECRs, Terrano, W. A., Zaw, I. & Farrar, G. R., Astrophysical Journal. 754, 2, 142 (2012).
Research Activity
We have several projects underway:
1. Build a system to optimally couple nuclear spins into a SQUID.
2. Develop quantum control algorithms to properly initialize the nuclear spin state
3. Demonstrate best-ever measurements of nuclear spin states
4. Search for ultra low mass dark matter
5. Perform an EDM measurement to CP-symmetry in the strong sector, and shed light on baryogenesis
6. Develop microfabricationn techniques specifically to improve precision measurements
Courses
| Spring 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PHY 310 | Classical Parts/Field/Matter I |
| PHY 311 | Classical Part/Field/Matter II |
| PHY 495 | Project Research |
| Fall 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Course Number | Course Title |
| PHY 495 | Project Research |