Objective
One of the main driving forces of physics is the search for the most fundamental laws of nature. In PRIME-MOL, I will expand our understanding of these fundamental laws by trapping laser-cooled molecules and using them as precision sensors.
Molecules have become pivotal tools in precision measurement science, offering exceptional opportunities for advanced spectroscopy and tests of fundamental symmetries. This can provide unique insights that complement those from experiments at large collider facilities and has raised hopes of discovering new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics in so far unexplored regimes.
I will explore a regime where existing insights are both scarce and conflicting, offering a high potential for groundbreaking discoveries: the electroweak sector of the Standard Model. I will probe weak nuclear-spin-dependent parity violation, where notable tension persists between the only previous low-energy experiment with atoms and high-energy experiments, highlighting important gaps in our understanding. Molecules can enhance such parity-violating effects by orders of magnitude, making them an ideal platform to answer open questions by probing the underlying physics and potential new particles with unprecedented precision.
However, achieving this requires the trapping of suitable molecules, which is a major challenge due to their heavy mass and complex level structure. So far, experiments have therefore relied on molecular beams, where the achievable sensitivity is severely constrained by short probe times and limited quantum control.
In PRIME-MOL, I will pioneer a new class of precision experiments using trapped neutral molecules, disrupting existing limitations by capitalizing on very recent breakthrough achievements in laser cooling of heavy barium monofluoride molecules. This will open new avenues for probing symmetry-violating phenomena and advance our understanding of particles and interactions at the most fundamental level.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics particle accelerator
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
- social sciences law
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1040 Wien
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.