Search for the electric dipole moment of the electron with thorium monoxide

ORAL

Abstract

The thorium monoxide molecule (ThO) in its metastable H state is a promising system for measuring or improving the limit on the permanent electric dipole moment of the electron (eEDM). We report on progress towards using ThO to measure the eEDM with a high-flux molecular beam. A cryogenic beam source has been constructed and is undergoing characterization and optimization. We also report on some preliminary realizations of state preparation and detection of laser-induced blue-shifted fluorescence from the EDM-sensitive H state.

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Authors

  • Nicholas Hutzler

    Harvard University

  • W. Campbell

    University of Maryland, JQI and Department of Physics, University of Maryland, University of Maryland Department of Physics and National Institute of Standards and Technology, College Park, MD 20742

  • Yulia Gurevich

    Harvard University

  • Paul Hess

    Harvard University

  • Emil Kirilov

    Yale University

  • Maxwell Parsons

    Harvard University

  • Elizabeth Petrik

    Harvard University

  • Benjamin Spaun

    Harvard University

  • Amar Vutha

    Yale University

  • David DeMille

    Yale University, Yale

  • Gerald Gabrielse

    Harvard University

  • John Doyle

    Harvard University