The detection of variations of fundamental constants of the Standard Model would provide us with compelling evidence of new physics, and could lift the veil on the nature of dark matter and dark energy. In this work, we discuss how a network of atomic and molecular clocks can be used to look for such variations with unprecedented sensitivity over a wide range of time scales. This is precisely the goal of the recently launched QSNET project: A network of clocks for measuring the stability of fundamental constants. QSNET will include state-of-the-art atomic clocks, but will also develop next-generation molecular and highly charged ion clocks with enhanced sensitivity to variations of fundamental constants. We describe the technological and scientific aims of QSNET and evaluate its expected performance. We show that in the range of parameters probed by QSNET, either we will discover new physics, or we will impose new constraints on violations of fundamental symmetries and a range of theories beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter and dark energy models.

中文翻译：

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用时钟网络测量基本常数的稳定性

检测标准模型基本常数的变化将为我们提供新物理学的有力证据，并可以揭开暗物质和暗能量本质的面纱。在这项工作中，我们讨论了如何使用原子钟和分子钟网络在广泛的时间尺度上以前所未有的灵敏度寻找这种变化。这正是最近启动的 QSNET 项目的目标：用于测量基本常数稳定性的时钟网络。QSNET 将包括最先进的原子钟，但还将开发对基本常数变化具有更高灵敏度的下一代分子和高电荷离子钟。我们描述了 QSNET 的技术和科学目标并评估其预期性能。