Anno Touwen, PhD at Nikhef, will defend his thesis Tuesday 22 October 2024 at 12.45 at the University of Groningen.
“Readout and control of molecules for electric dipole moment searches”
The observed imbalance between matter and antimatter is an important open question in fundamental physics. Processes that contribute to this imbalance must violate CP symmetry, a discrete symmetry that appears to be conserved for most processes in particle physics.
There are several approaches in the search for CP violation. This work focuses on an approach using precision measurements on molecules. An energy difference is measured that can be traced back to the electric dipole moment of the electron (eEDM). For fundamental particles such as the electron, this property would violate CP, and therefore be a sign of the processes we seek.
This energy difference that can be traced back to the eEDM is very small. There are many processes that cause a larger energy difference and can be interpreted falsely. In order to perform these precision measurements, a setup has been developed in which relevant parameters can be kept constant, while the electric field to which the eEDM is linked is varied. In this work, the data acquisition and control system for this experiment was developed.
For a sensitive measurement, many molecules are needed, which can be studied for as long as possible. A molecule decelerator has been developed for this purpose, which causes molecules to move more slowly through the setup. In this study, the deceleration of molecules that are sensitive to the eEDM has been demonstrated. An electrostatic lens was used to get as many molecules as possible into the decelerator.
“Readout and control of molecules for electric dipole moment searches” (pdf)
The PhD defense will take place in the Academy building RUG, Broerstraat 5, 9712 CP Groningen.
The defense will be broadcasted online: link
More information on the website of the University of Groningen.
Supervisors: prof. dr. H.L. Bethlem and prof. dr. S. Hoekstra
Contact: Anno Touwen