Periodic Reporting for period 4 - quMercury (Ultracold mercury for a measurement of the EDM)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-03-31
One of the most fundamental questions in contemporary physics is: "Why does the Universe contain matter?" or, more specifically: "Why does the Universe contain matter, but no antimatter?". The current Standard Model in physics is unable to explain the observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter, but there are stong indications that this asymmetry is related to a quantity called electric dipole moment (EDM). This is a tiny deviation in the shape of elementary particles from being perfectly spherical. Since more than 50 years, generations of researches are searching for a non-zero EDM. In this project, we take a new approach by using ultracold atoms, cooled by lasers to a millionth of a degree above absolute zero. In such a scenario, phenomena from quantum mechanics might allows us to boost measurement sensitivity.
We have started to set up the laboratory, including massive optical tables with a weight of many tons to provide a stable environment, we have set up the first laser systems and electronics, and designed the vacuum chamber in which the experiments will take place. Further, we have visited almost all other groups in Europe working on complementary approaches to measure the EDM.
We are constructing the first experiment world-wide that aims at quantum degeneracy in the heaviest element that can be laser-cooled, mercury. This will be one of the first experiments using laser-cooled atoms or molecules for EDM measurements. The technology and methods developed here might also boost the performance of optical clocks. Lastly, we are developing laser at UV wavelengths in a regime (power and wavelength) that has not been available thus far.