A new avenue in the search for CP violation: Moessbauer spectroscopy of 227-Ac

TL;DR

This paper explores using Mössbauer spectroscopy on 227-actinium to detect CP-violating nuclear moments, proposing a novel experimental approach with potential to uncover new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Contribution

It introduces a new experimental method employing Mössbauer spectroscopy on 227-actinium to search for CP violation in nuclear moments, which has not been previously proposed.

Findings

Estimated energy resolution limit of 23.7 x 10^{-9} eV for Mössbauer spectroscopy on 227-ac

Proposed detection patterns for CP-violating moments in quadrupole splitting and Zeeman effect

First conceptual framework connecting Mössbauer spectroscopy with CP violation searches in nuclei.

Abstract

This work proposes a new avenue in the search for CP-violating odd-electric and even-magnetic nuclear moments. A promising candidate to find such moments in the ground state is the quadrupole-deformed and octupole-correlated nucleus 227-actinium. In this nucleus, the 27.4-keV $E1$~transition that connects the $3/2^+$ parity-doublet partner and the $3/2^-$ ground state is perfectly suited to apply the sensitive technique of recoil-free selfabsorption, commonly known as M\"ossbauer spectroscopy. In this experimental approach, the lifetime of the $3/2^+$ upper parity-doublet partner allows an estimate of the lower limit of $\Delta E = 2\cdot \Gamma_{\gamma}$= $23.7(1) \times 10^{-9}$ eV for the achievable energy resolution to be made. This resolution must be exceeded by the interaction of a CP-violating moment and the corresponding multipole moment of the field distribution in the lattice. This work presents the first ideas for patterns caused by CP-violating moments on the expected quadrupole splitting and nuclear Zeeman effect.