Objective The existence of a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron, or any subatomic particle, would have far reaching implications connecting particle physics with cosmology. Time reversal invariance and CP symmetry would be violated. A new fundamental interaction producing the EDM, that is, deforming the charge distribution inside the neutron, could also have generated the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the early Universe. After 60 years of evolution, techniques to measure the neutron EDM are now so evolved that experiments are sensitive to microphysics associated with an energy scale beyond that accessible at the LHC. This situation offers a high likelihood of discovery for the next generation of experiments. In the same time, any improvement in precision is technically challenging. The control of the magnetic field must surpass that of the state of the art of atomic magnetometers. The n2EDM project aims at improving the precision by an order of magnitude or more. Systematic effects need to be controlled at an unprecedented level. In particular, the use of a mercury co-magnetometer based on the precession of 199Hg spins induces a set of subtle false effects due to the relativistic motional field. I propose to initiate a comprehensive program to master these systematic effects beyond the current research program. In particular, the proposed project includes a precise determination of the 199Hg magnetic moment with a precision of 0.1 ppm. To this end, I will attempt a novel approach: combining mercury and 4He magnetometry in the same cell. As a by-product, this will also produce an improved determination of the neutron magnetic moment, a quantity of interest for metrology. The cross-check I propose will prove that all disturbances on the neutron or mercury spins are mastered at the sub-ppm level, a decisive step in the quest for the neutron EDM. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyphysical cosmology Keywords baryogenesis Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-STG - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Host institution UNIVERSITE GRENOBLE ALPES Net EU contribution € 1 409 796,25 Address 621 AVENUE CENTRALE 38058 Grenoble France See on map Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Rhône-Alpes Isère Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 498 840,00 Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITE GRENOBLE ALPES France Net EU contribution € 1 409 796,25 Address 621 AVENUE CENTRALE 38058 Grenoble See on map Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Rhône-Alpes Isère Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 498 840,00 Third-party Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure. CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS France Net EU contribution € 89 043,75 Address RUE MICHEL ANGE 3 75794 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 89 043,75
