Probing Fundamental Symmetries of Deformed Nuclei in Symmetric Top Molecules

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of symmetric top molecular ions, specifically $^{225}$RaOCH$_3^+$, as highly sensitive probes for detecting fundamental symmetry violations like Schiff moments, combining nuclear deformation and molecular advantages.

Contribution

It introduces $^{225}$RaOCH$_3^+$ as a promising candidate for precision $T,P$-violation measurements, detailing its internal structure and advantages over existing systems.

Findings

$^{225}$RaOCH$_3^+$ has favorable internal structure for symmetry tests.

The molecule exhibits large polarizability and small parity splittings.

It enables sensitive measurements with a single trapped ion.

Abstract

Precision measurements of Schiff moments in heavy, deformed nuclei are sensitive probes of beyond Standard Model $T,P$-violation in the hadronic sector. While the most sensitive limits on Schiff moments to date are set with diamagnetic atoms, polar polyatomic molecules can offer higher sensitivities with unique experimental advantages. In particular, symmetric top molecular ions possess $K$-doublets of opposite parity with especially small splittings, leading to full polarization at low fields, internal co-magnetometer states useful for rejection of systematic effects, and the ability to perform sensitive searches for $T,P$-violation using a small number of trapped ions containing heavy exotic nuclei. We consider the symmetric top cation $^{225}$RaOCH$_3^+$ as a prototypical and candidate platform for performing sensitive nuclear Schiff measurements and characterize in detail its internal structure using relativistic ab initio methods. The combination of enhancements from a deformed nucleus, large polarizability, and unique molecular structure make this molecule a promising platform to search for fundamental symmetry violation even with a single trapped ion.