A potential new test for unseen matter in the outer solar system

Abstract

The recent development of trapped-ion frequency standards, which offer high stability over long time periods, provides us with a potential new method for detecting unseen matter in the outer solar system. A distribution of matter or a planetary body could produce a measurable gravitational redshift of the radio signal received from a spacecraft equipped with an ultrastable frequency standard. Trapped-ion standards have a potential frequency stability of 1 part in 10(exp 16) or better over long time periods (greater than 10(exp 6) s). We consider the potential improvements this method could yield over conventional dynamical tests for unseen matter in the outer solar system possible now or anticipated in the near future.