Description
Measurements of heavy, polar molecules in the gas-phase are sensitive experimental probes of Parity (P) and Time reversal (T) violating new physics. The large internal fields and relativistic electron dynamics in these molecules amplify potential sources of P,T violating physics, such as the electron’s electric dipole moment (eEDM) or a nuclear magnetic quadrupole moment (NMQM). Molecular beam measurements of an NMQM would provide a modern probe of P,T violating physics in the hadronic sector, complimentary to existing eEDM constraints on new leptonic physics. We present progress toward measuring the NMQM on the $^{173}$Yb nucleus in a beam of cold $^{173}$YbOH molecules. The polyatomic structure of YbOH enables full control of polarization in the vibrational bending mode, while retaining the ability to cycle photons and laser-cool. Our progress on YbOH includes: preliminary spin precession in the vibrational ground state, spectroscopy of the vibrational bending mode, demonstration of cycling in the odd isotopologues, and construction of a magnetically shielded science chamber for precision measurement.
We acknowledge support from NIST, NSF, the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Y.T. acknowledges support from the Masason Foundation. P.Y. acknowledges support from the Eddleman Fellowship.
| Presenter name | Chandler Conn |
|---|---|
| How will you attend ICAP-27? | I am planning on in-person attendance |
