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Quantum control of trapped polyatomic molecules for eEDM searches

L. Anderegg, N. Vilas, Christian Hallas, Paige Robichaud, A. Jadbabaie, J. Doyle, N. Hutzler

Science, 2023

50 citations

Abstract

Ultracold polyatomic molecules are promising candidates for experiments in quantum science and precision searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. A key requirement is the ability to achieve full quantum control over the internal structure of the molecules. In this work, we established coherent control of individual quantum states in calcium monohydroxide (CaOH) and demonstrated a method for searching for the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM). Optically trapped, ultracold CaOH molecules were prepared in a single quantum state, polarized in an electric field, and coherently transferred into an eEDM-sensitive state where an electron spin precession measurement was performed. To extend the coherence time, we used eEDM-sensitive states with tunable, near-zero magnetic field sensitivity. Our results establish a path for eEDM searches with trapped polyatomic molecules. Description Editor’s summary Cold molecules hold much promise as a platform for investigating fundamental problems in physics such as matter-antimatter asymmetry through precise measurements of the electron’s electric dipole moment (eEDM). Researchers have used diatomic molecules for this purpose. Polyatomic molecules have even more favorable properties but are more difficult to control. Anderegg et al. demonstrate coherent control of individual quantum states in the polyatomic molecule calcium monohydroxide. Their findings enable the measurement of eEDM in this and related systems, which is expected to…

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