Electron electric dipole moment experiment using electric-field quantized slow cesium atoms

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a proof-of-principle experiment using slow cesium atoms with electric-field quantization to suppress systematic errors, paving the way for more sensitive electron EDM measurements.

Contribution

It introduces techniques combining slow atom manipulation, magnetic field nulling, and electric-field quantization for improved electron EDM experiments.

Findings

Reduced ambient magnetic fields to below 200 pT.

Achieved electric field of 6 MV/m to lift state degeneracy.

Demonstrated state preparation and detection without static magnetic or electric fields.

Abstract

A proof-of-principle electron electric dipole moment (e-EDM) experiment using slow cesium atoms, nulled magnetic fields, and electric field quantization has been performed. With the ambient magnetic fields seen by the atoms reduced to less than 200 pT, an electric field of 6 MV/m lifts the degeneracy between states of unequal mF and, along with the low (approximately 3 m/s) velocity, suppresses the systematic effect from the motional magnetic field. The low velocity and small residual magnetic field have made it possible to induce transitions between states and to perform state preparation, analysis, and detection in regions free of applied static magnetic and electric fields. This experiment demonstrates techniques that may be used to improve the e-EDM limit by two orders of magnitude, but it is not in itself a sensitive e-EDM search, mostly due to limitations of the laser system.