Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The apparent invariance of the strong nuclear force under combined charge conjugation and parity (CP) remains an open question in modern physics1,2. Precision experiments with heavy atoms and molecules can provide stringent constraints on CP violation via searches for effects due to permanent electric dipole moments and other CP-odd properties in leptons, hadrons and nuclei3. Radioactive molecules have been proposed as highly sensitive probes for such searches4, but experiments with most such molecules have so far been beyond technical reach. Here we report the production and spectroscopic study of a gas-phase actinium molecule, 227AcF. We observe the predicted strongest electronic transition from the ground state, which is necessary for efficient readout in searches of symmetry-violating interactions. Furthermore, we perform electronic- and nuclear-structure calculations for 227AcF to determine its sensitivity to various CP-violating parameters, and find that a realistic, near-term experiment with a precision of 1 mHz would improve current constraints on the CP-violating parameter hyperspace by 3 orders of magnitude. Our results thus highlight the potential of 227AcF for exceptionally sensitive searches of CP violation. Gas-phase actinium monofluoride (AcF) has been produced and spectroscopically studied at the CERN-ISOLDE radioactive ion beam facility; the results highlight the potential of 227AcF for exceptionally sensitive searches of CP violation.
Source: Nature
Authors: M. Athanasakis-Kaklamanakis, M. Au, A. Kyuberis, C. Zülch, K. Gaul, H. Wibowo, L. Skripnikov, L. Lalanne, J. R. Reilly, Á. Koszorús, S. Bara, J. Ballof, R. Berger, C. Bernerd, A. Borschevsky, A. A. Breier, K. Chrysalidis, T. E. Cocolios, R. P. de Groote, A. Dorne, J. Dobaczewski, C. M. Fajardo Zambrano, K. T. Flanagan, S. Franchoo, J. D. Johnson, R. F. Garcia Ruiz, D. Hanstorp, S. Kujanpää, Y. C. Liu, K. M. Lynch, A. McGlone, N. S. Mosyagin, G. Neyens, M. Nichols, L. Nies, F. Pastrana, S. Rothe, W. Ryssens, B. van den Borne, J. Wessolek, S. G. Wilkins, X. F. Yang
Institutions: Imperial College London, European Organization for Nuclear Research, KU Leuven, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, University of Groningen, Philipps University of Marburg, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Helmholtz Institute Mainz, University of York, University of Manchester, University of Kassel, Technische Universität Berlin, Université Paris-Saclay, Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis Irène Joliot-Curie, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Gothenburg, University of Jyväskylä, Peking University, State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Technology, Université Libre de Bruxelles
Language: English
Topic: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, CERN, Leverhulme Trust, Imperial College London, European Commission, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, University of New South Wales, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, KU Leuven, Vetenskapsrådet, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Nuclear Physics, H2020 European Research Council
Awards: G1441234325, LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF EXOTIC ATOMS AND MOLECULES CONTAINING OCTUPOLE-DEFORMED NUCLEI, G2071329223, Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant 21-24 - University of York, Manchester Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant Request, Manchester Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant 2020, G3691776527, G3891504354, G3987901086, SHEDDING LIGHT ON NUCLEAR PROPERTIES AT THE LIMITS OF EXISTENCE, G434337789, G4375706534, G4467158980, Fundamental nuclear properties measured with laser spectroscopy, High Sector Fock space coupled cluster method: benchmark accuracy across the periodic table, Laser spectroscopy of negative ions, G5923730219, G6751340026, Laser Ionization and Spectroscopy of Actinide elements, G7082598299, G7671084252, Nichtbindende molekulare Spinoren und Tests fundamentaler Physik mit lasergekühlten Ionen, Nuclear Physics Consolidated Grant, EUROpean Laboratories for Accelerator Based Science
OpenAlex ID: W4417436003