Search for the electron electric dipole moment

本项目是利用PbO亚稳态研究电子电偶极矩(EDM)的继续。对电子电火花的观察将为粒子物理标准模型以外的现象提供确凿的证据。目前受欢迎的超对称性理论通常预测电火花加工在电流极限的几个数量级内。最近的结果表明，在该项目的三年期间内，应该有可能将目前的敏感性提高至少100倍。在EDM搜索的同时，将开发进一步扩展该方法的灵敏度的技术。我们将使用经典的光谱技术寻找辐射耦合到亚稳态的未知态。这项研究的成功完成将使我们能够确定合适的探测和/或泵浦转换，这可以用于更有效地激发和检测PBO分子。在更广泛的影响上，PI对电子电火花加工的探索将继续涉及广泛的学生培训。此外，国际宣传局将继续通过经评审的出版物、会议报告和公开讲座广泛传播结果。

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.