Fundamental Symmetry Studies with Atoms and Nuclei

Over recent decades experiment and theory have established the Standard Model of elementary particle interactions and developed a framework for precise calculations. In spite of this success, strong evidence that the Standard Model is incomplete is provided by three specific shortcomings: 1) we do not understand the origin of matter, that is how the early universe evolved to provide more matter than antimatter; 2) we do not know what constitutes the dark matter that comprises most of the mass of the observable universe; 3) we have not specified the quantum mechanics of neutrinos. Fundamental symmetry studies with many body atoms and nuclei contribute crucially to the endeavor of establishing a New Standard Model through the search for new phenomena such as the electric dipole moment (EDM) of atoms and molecules and precision measurements of parameters that may overconstrain and thus challenge Standard Model predictions. The experiments are challenging as they probe new physics complementary to collider searches. Interpreting experimental results to determine or constrain new-physics parameters presents manifold challenges to nuclear and hadronic theory as well. This overview will focus on the common theme of talks in the symposium and what we can learn in the broader context of challenges.