Search for the Electron Electric Dipole Moment using PbO Molecules

这个项目代表了长达十年的努力的最后阶段，实验确定电子是否具有非球形电荷分布。这种电荷不对称（被称为电偶极矩）可以产生于与宇宙由物质而非反物质组成相同的基本机制。这个项目提供了为数不多的测试粒子物理理论的方法之一，这些理论可以解释这个基本的存在事实。目标是实现对电子电偶极矩的灵敏度比以前的实验高2-3倍，因此可能第一次观察到这种效应。该项目的更广泛影响主要与参与者的研究培训有关。该实验至今已培养了3名博士后、4名博士生和10名本科生，其中大部分人一直活跃在研究领域。这一阶段将支持最后一位参与该项目的博士生进行最后一年的研究。

This project represents the final phase of a decade-long effort to experimentally determine if electrons have a non-spherical distribution of their electric charge. Such a charge asymmetry (known as an electric dipole moment) can arise from the same fundamental mechanisms responsible for the universe being composed of matter rather than antimatter. This project provides one of the few means to test theories of particle physics that can explain this basic fact of existence. The goal is to achieve sensitivity to the electron's electric dipole moment a factor of 2-3 better than previous experiments, and hence possibly observe this effect for the first time.The broader impacts of this project are primarily related to research training of the participants. Over its lifetime, this experiment has supported training of three postdoctoral researchers, four Ph.D. students, and ten undergraduate researchers, most of whom have remained active in research. This phase will support the final year of research for the last Ph.D. student on the project.