Abstract
Precision measurements of Schiff moments in heavy, deformed nuclei are sensitive probes of beyond standard model , violation in the hadronic sector. While the most stringent limits on Schiff moments to date are set with diamagnetic atoms, polar polyatomic molecules can offer higher sensitivities with unique experimental advantages. In particular, symmetric top molecular ions possess doublets of opposite parity with especially small splittings, leading to full polarization at low fields, internal comagnetometer states useful for rejection of systematic effects, and the ability to perform sensitive searches for , violation using a small number of trapped ions containing heavy exotic nuclei. We consider the symmetric top cation as a prototypical and candidate platform for performing sensitive nuclear Schiff measurements and characterize in detail its internal structure using relativistic ab initio methods. The combination of enhancements from a deformed nucleus, large polarizability, and unique molecular structure make this molecule a promising platform to search for fundamental symmetry violation even with a single trapped ion.
- Received 21 August 2020
- Accepted 24 November 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.023003
© 2021 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Viewpoint
Designer Molecules for Fundamental-Symmetry Tests
Published 11 January 2021
Researchers design radioactive molecules that might have exceptional sensitivity to the symmetry violations explaining the matter-antimatter imbalance of the Universe.
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