Speaker
Description
This research project investigates the development and use of the triatomic molecule YbCaF for measuring the magnetic quadrupole moment (MQM) of the Yb-173 nucleus. This property is of interest as it breaks CP symmetry, contributing to the understanding of matter-antimatter asymmetry. The YbCaF molecule is ideal for this: the quadrupole-deformed Yb-173 nucleus enhances the size of the MQM for a given new physics scenario, and the molecule’s bent structure facilitates parity doublets,a powerful tool for uncovering and rejecting systematic errors. We aim to laser cool both Yb and CaF, then trap them in optical tweezers and combine them into molecules. Our current progress focuses mainly on the preparation of Yb, with the apparatus being constructed to cool the atoms to a point where they can be trapped.
