Title: Radioactive Molecules are Dying to Reveal New Physics
Abstract: Rapid advances in the control and interrogation of individual atoms and molecules are opening new avenues for probing the properties of fundamental particles and their interactions. In particular, molecules containing heavy, radioactive nuclei with reflection-asymmetric shapes provide exceptional sensitivity to parity- and time-reversal-violating nuclear effects. Precision measurements in these systems therefore offer a powerful approach to addressing major open questions in fundamental physics, including the origin of the matter–antimatter asymmetry of the universe, the strong CP problem and the possible existence of physics beyond the Standard Model.
In this colloquium, I will present recent results and future directions in precision studies of these exotic systems, with a focus on radium-containing molecules. I will discuss how such molecules are emerging as a compelling new frontier in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model.