Progress toward improved limits on charge-parity violation using octupole-deformed Radium atoms

Tests of fundamental symmetries are a hot topic in physics as recent experiments have dramatically improved limits on charge-parity violation for the electron and current experiments anticipate additional sensitivity improvements. While the Standard Model provides allowances for higher-order symmetry violations, their effect is miniscule compared to current experimental limits. Beyond-Standard-Model (BSM) theories (e.g. supersymmetry) formulated to explain experimental observations, such as matter-antimatter asymmetry, naturally include additional symmetry violation. However, null results from previous symmetry violation experiments already limit the validity of BSM theories and new experimental limits will further restrict these theoretical extensions to the Standard Model. Within this class of experiments, Radium is an interesting candidate because its octupole-deformed nucleus enhances experimental sensitivity to symmetry-violating effects within the nucleus. Specifically, ²²⁵Ra is an ideal species for observing the nuclear Schiff moment arising from CP-violating interactions within the nucleus. Building upon previous, proof-of-principle Ra-225 EDM measurements that employ laser cooling and trapping, we present experimental upgrades predicted to improve measurement precision by three orders of magnitude.  Specifically, we focus on recent corrections to the atomic structure of radium and progress toward implementing improved laser cooling of radium that utilizes this knowledge to greatly increase the number of trapped atoms for future EDM measurements.