Search for the electron electric dipole moment

本项目是利用PbO的亚稳态寻找电子电偶极矩（EDM）的延续。对电子电火花加工的观察将为粒子物理学标准模型之外的现象提供明确的证据。目前受欢迎的涉及超对称的理论通常在当前极限的几个数量级内预测EDM。最近的结果表明，在项目的三年期间内，应该有可能将目前的灵敏度提高至少100倍。在电火花搜索的同时，将开发进一步扩展该方法灵敏度的技术。我们将使用经典的光谱技术寻找与亚稳态辐射耦合的未知态。这一搜索的成功完成将使我们能够确定合适的探针和/或泵跃迁，这可以用于更有效的激发和检测PbO分子。就更广泛的影响而言，PI对电子电火花加工的研究将继续涉及广泛的学生培训。此外，PI将继续通过评审出版物、会议报告和公开演讲等方式广泛传播研究结果。

This project is a continuation of a search for the electron electric dipole moment (EDM), using the metastable state of PbO. Observation of an electron EDM would provide definitive evidence for phenomena beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Currently favored theories involving supersymmetry typically predict the EDM within a few orders of magnitude of the current limit. Recent results indicate that it should be possible to improve upon the current sensitivity by a factor of at least 100, within the three-year period of the project. In parallel with the EDM search, techniques for further extending the sensitivity of the method will be developed. We will search for unknown states which couple radiatively to the metastable state, using classical spectroscopic techniques. Successful completion of this search will allow us to identify suitable probe and/or pump transitions, which can be used for a more efficient excitation and detection of the PbO molecules. On the broader impact, the PI's search for the electron EDM will continue to involve extensive student training. Also the PI will continue to widely disseminate the results, through refereed publications, conference presentations, and public lectures.