Search for New Physics with Atoms and Molecules

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent experimental efforts using atoms and molecules to test fundamental physics principles, search for new physics phenomena, and explore potential deviations from established theories.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments, key results, and future directions in using atomic and molecular experiments to probe fundamental physics.

Findings

Constraints on parity violation and electric dipole moments

Limits on variations of fundamental constants

Tests supporting or challenging existing physical theories

Abstract

This article reviews recent developments in tests of fundamental physics using atoms and molecules, including the subjects of parity violation, searches for permanent electric dipole moments, tests of the CPT theorem and Lorentz symmetry, searches for spatiotemporal variation of fundamental constants, tests of quantum electrodynamics, tests of general relativity and the equivalence principle, searches for dark matter, dark energy and extra forces, and tests of the spin-statistics theorem. Key results are presented in the context of potential new physics and in the broader context of similar investigations in other fields. Ongoing and future experiments of the next decade are discussed.