Search for exotic short-range interactions using paramagnetic insulators

We describe a proposed experimental search for exotic spin-coupled interactions using a solid-state paramagnetic insulator. The experiment is sensitive to the net magnetization induced by the exotic interaction between the unpaired insulator electrons with a dense, non-magnetic mass in close proximity. An existing experiment has been used to set limits on the electric dipole moment of the electron by probing the magnetization induced in a cryogenic gadolinium gallium garnet sample on application of a strong electric field. With suitable additions, including a movable source mass, this experiment can be used to explore monopole-dipole forces on polarized electrons with unique or unprecedented sensitivity. The solid-state, non-magnetic construction, combined with the low-noise conditions and extremely sensitive magnetometry available at cryogenic temperatures could lead to a sensitivity over ten orders of magnitude greater than exiting limits in the range below 1 mm.

Prospects for electron spin-dependent short-range force experiments with rare earth iron garnet test masses

A study of the possible interactions between fermions assuming only rotational invariance has revealed 15 forms for the potential involving the fermion spins. We review the experimental constraints on unobserved macroscopic, spin-dependent interactions between electrons in the range below 1 cm. An existing experiment, using 1 kHz mechanical oscillators as test masses, has been used to constrain mass-coupled forces in this range. With suitable modifications, including spin-polarized test masses, this experiment can be used to explore all 15 possible spin-dependent interactions between electrons in this range with unprecedented sensitivity. Samples of ferrimagnetic dysprosium iron garnet have been fabricated in the suitable test mass geometry and shown to have high spin density with very low intrinsic magnetism.