Polarization and relaxation rates of radon

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 observed the low-lying quantum states in 224Rn and 226Rn by accelerating beams of these radioactive nuclei. We show that radon isotopes undergo octupole vibrations but do not possess static pear-shapes in their ground states. We conclude that radon atoms provide less favourable conditions for the enhancement of a measurable atomic electric-dipole moment.

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“…The most commonly chosen isotope for theoretical calculations [9,10] and the planning of experiments [11][12][13] is 223 Rn.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The observation of vibrating pear-shapes in radon nuclei

et al. 2019

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“…The current best atomic dipole measurement is an experiment is in the diamagnetic species, Hg, by the Washington group [73]. Many other groups are looking for EDMs in diamagnetic (that is, net electron spin S = 0), ground-state electronic levels in Hg [73], Xe [74][75][76][77], Rn [78], Yb [79] and Ra [67,[80][81][82]. Experiments on diamagnetic atoms (with net electron spin S = 0) are sensitive to new physics predominantly via the nucleonic contribution to the Schiff moment of the corresponding atomic nucleus.…”

Section: A Comparative Survey Of Ongoing Experimental Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-resolution spectroscopy on trapped molecular ions in rotating electric fields: A new approach for measuring the electron electric dipole moment

Leanhardt

Bohn

Loh

et al. 2011

Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy

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High-resolution molecular spectroscopy is a sensitive probe for violations of fundamental symmetries. Symmetry violation searches often require, or are enhanced by, the application of an electric field to the system under investigation. This typically precludes the study of molecular ions due to their inherent acceleration under these conditions. Circumventing this problem would be of great benefit to the high-resolution molecular spectroscopy community since ions allow for simple trapping and long interrogation times, two desirable qualities for precision measurements. Our proposed solution is to apply an electric field that rotates at radio frequencies. We discuss considerations for experimental design as well as challenges in performing precision spectroscopic measurements in rapidly time-varying electric fields. Ongoing molecular spectroscopy work that could benefit from our approach is summarized. In particular, we detail how spectroscopy on a trapped diatomic molecular ion with a ground or metastable 3 ∆1 level could prove to be a sensitive probe for a permanent electron electric dipole moment (eEDM).

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“…Strong enhancement is expected in the octupole-deformed region of radon or radium nuclei due to close-lying parity doublets. Experiments are planned by the groups at Argonne [246] and at KVI on 225 Ra in a magneto-optical trap [252] and by Chupp/Michigan on 223 Rn at TRIUMF in a cell [253]. Other systems might be even more favorable: Due to the Schiff moment, the expected EDM for 229 Pa is 3 · 10 4 larger than that of 199 Hg and 40 times larger than the 225 Ra moment [254].…”

Section: Electric Dipole Momentmentioning

confidence: 96%

Atomic physics techniques for studying nuclear ground state properties, fundamental interactions and symmetries: status and perspectives

Kluge

2010

Hyperfine Interact

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The international workshop on "Application of Lasers and Storage Devices in Atomic Nuclei Research" held during 2009 in Poznan gave an excellent overview on the latest experimental and theoretical results regarding the investigation of radionuclides by atomic physics techniques and the extraction of ground state properties of exotic nuclei. This publication intends to summarize the progress recently achieved by laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as well as by weak interaction studies using atomic physics techniques. Furthermore, it tries to point to some areas requiring urgent improvements and to indicate some routes of future research and challenging opportunities.

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Polarization and relaxation rates of radon

Cited by 23 publications

References 34 publications

The observation of vibrating pear-shapes in radon nuclei

The observation of vibrating pear-shapes in radon nuclei

High-resolution spectroscopy on trapped molecular ions in rotating electric fields: A new approach for measuring the electron electric dipole moment

Atomic physics techniques for studying nuclear ground state properties, fundamental interactions and symmetries: status and perspectives

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