Precision measurements with atoms and molecules can search for subtle violations of time-reversal symmetry (T) in nuclei, and thereby probe a variety of new physics models. We present a detailed scheme for a nuclear T-violation search experiment using $^{153}$Eu$^{3+}$ ions doped in non-centrosymmetric sites within a Y$_2$SiO$_5$ crystal. The ions in this solid contain nuclei that are highly sensitive to T-violation, and avail of large atomic enhancements by being polarized within the solid. But in particular, the system and methods that we discuss here enable the use of vast numbers of nuclei trapped in crystals, while also offering a number of stringent tests to ward off systematic errors. Our approach maps out a path to probe new physics at the PeV energy scale.
Parity and time invariance violating (${\cal P},{\cal T}$-odd) nuclear forces produce ${\cal P},{\cal T}$-odd nuclear moments, for example, the nuclear Schiff moment. In turn, this moment can induce electric dipole moments (EDMs) in atoms. We estimate the contribution to the Schiff moment from the soft collective octupole vibrations existing in many heavy nuclei. Two possible mechanisms are considered, mixing of the ground state of an odd-$A$ nucleus with the octupole phonon state, and ${\cal P},{\cal T}$-odd admixture to the single-particle wave function of the valence nucleon. We found pract…
Nuclear forces violating parity and time reversal invariance P,T-odd produce P,T-odd nuclear moments, for example, the nuclear Schiff moment. In turn, this moment can induce the electric dipole moment (EDM) in the atom. The contribution to the Schiff moment from the soft collective quadrupole and octupole vibrations in spherical nuclei is calculated in the framework of the quasiparticle random phase approximation with separable quadrupole and octupole forces. The values of nuclear Schiff moments predicted for odd 217-221Ra and 217-221Ra isotopes indicate a possibility of enhancement by a facto…
Deformed nuclei possess enhanced moments violating time reversal invariance ($T$) and parity ($P$). Collective magnetic quadrupole moments (MQM) appear in nuclei with a quadrupole deformation (which have ordinary $T$,$P$-conserving collective electric quadrupole moments). Nuclei with an octupole deformation have a collective electric octupole moment, electric dipole moment (EDM), Schiff moment and MQM in the intrinsic frame which rotates with the nucleus. In a state with definite angular momentum in the laboratory frame, these moments are forbidden by $T$ and $P$ conservation, meaning their ex…
The existence of a nuclear electric octupole moment (EOM) requires both parity and time invariance violation. The EOMs of odd $Z$ nuclei that are induced by a particular T- and P-odd interaction are calculated. We compare such octupole moments with the collective EOMs that can occur in nuclei having a static octupole deformation. A nuclear EOM can induce a parity and time invariance violating atomic electric dipole moment, and the magnitude of this effect is calculated. The contribution of a nuclear EOM to such a dipole moment is found, in most cases, to be smaller than that of other mechanism…
Parity (P) and time reversal (T) violating nuclear forces create P, T -odd moments in expansion of the nuclear electrostatic potential. We derive expression for the nuclear electric octupole field which includes the electron screening correction (similar to the screening term in the Schiff moment). Then we calculate the Z alpha corrections to the Schiff moment which appear due to the finite nuclear size. Such corrections are important in heavy atoms with nuclear charge Z > 50. The Schiff and octupole moments induce atomic electric dipole moments (EDM) and P, T -odd interactions in molecules wh…
Nuclei with static intrinsic octupole deformation or a soft octupole vibrational mode lead to strongly enhanced collective nuclear Schiff? moments. Interaction between electrons and these Schiff moments produce enhanced time reversal (T) and parity (P) violating electric dipole moments (EDM) in atoms and molecules. Corresponding experiments may be used to test CP-violation theories predicting T,P-violating nuclear forces and to search for axions. Nuclear octupole deformations are predicted in many short lived isotopes. This paper investigates octupole deformations in stable and very long lifet…
Precision measurements of Schiff moments in heavy, deformed nuclei are sensitive probes of beyond Standard Model $T,P$-violation in the hadronic sector. While the most sensitive limits on Schiff moments to date are set with diamagnetic atoms, polar polyatomic molecules can offer higher sensitivities with unique experimental advantages. In particular, symmetric top molecular ions possess $K$-doublets of opposite parity with especially small splittings, leading to full polarization at low fields, internal co-magnetometer states useful for rejection of systematic effects, and the ability to perfo…
Octupole deformation results in a strongly enhanced collective Schiff moment in 229Th nucleus. An additional enhancement of time reversal (T) and parity (P) violating effects (such as T,P-violating electric dipole moments) appears in the ground 1Sigma state and in the metastable 3Delta_1 state of diatomic molecule 229ThO. Similar enhancements exist in molecular ions 229ThOH+, 229ThF+ and 225,223RaOH+. Corresponding experiments may be used to test CP-violation theories predicting T,P-violating nuclear forces and to search for axions.
Nuclei with an octupole deformation have a non-zero electric octupole moment, electric dipole moment (EDM), Schiff moment and magnetic quadrupole moment (MQM) in the intrinsic frame which rotates with the nucleus. In a state with definite angular momentum in the laboratory frame, these moments are forbidden by parity (P) and time reversal invariance (T) conservation, meaning their expectation values vanish due to nuclear rotation. However, nuclei with an octupole deformation have doublets of close opposite parity rotational states with the same spin, which are mixed by T,P-odd nuclear forces. …
The existence of permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs) and magnetic quadrupole moments (MQMs) violate both time reversal invariance ($T$) and parity ($P$). Following the $CPT$ theorem they also violate combined $CP$ symmetry. Nuclear EDM are completely screened in atoms and molecules while interaction between electrons and MQM creates atomic and molecular EDM which can be measured and used to test CP-violation theories. Nuclear MQM are produced by the nucleon-nucleon $T,P$-odd interaction and by nucleon EDM. In this work we study the effect of enhancement of the nuclear MQM due to the nucle…
There is a large body of evidence that atomic nuclei can undergo octupole distortion and assume the shape of a pear. This phenomenon is important for measurements of electric-dipole moments of atoms, which would indicate CP violation and hence probe physics beyond the standard model of particle physics. Isotopes of both radon and radium have been identified as candidates for such measurements. Here, we have observed the low-lying quantum states in $^{224}$Rn and $^{226}$Rn by accelerating beams of these radioactive nuclei. We report here additional states not assigned in our 2019 publication. …
Recent measurements in paramagnetic molecules improved the limit on the electron electric dipole moment (EDM) by an order of magnitude. Time-reversal (T) and parity (P) symmetry violation in molecules may also come from their nuclei. We point out that nuclear T,P-odd effects are amplified in paramagnetic molecules containing deformed nuclei, where the primary effects arise from the T,P-odd nuclear magnetic quadrupole moment (MQM). We perform calculations of T,P-odd effects in the molecules TaN, ThO, ThF$^+$, HfF$^+$, YbF, HgF, and BaF induced by MQMs. We compare our results with those for the …
Collective effects in deformed atomic nuclei present possible avenues of study on the non-spherical distribution of neutrons and the violation of the local Lorentz invariance. We introduce the weak quadrupole moment of nuclei, related to the quadrupole distribution of the weak charge in the nucleus. The weak quadrupole moment produces tensor weak interaction between the nucleus and electrons and can be observed in atomic and molecular experiments measuring parity nonconservation. The dominating contribution to the weak quadrupole is given by the quadrupole moment of the neutron distribution, t…
