Nuclear and Particle Physics Colloquium (NPPC)

Nick Hutzler

Fundamental science with polyatomic molecules

Abstract:
The extra degrees of freedom of polyatomic molecules allow the combination of multiple features which are incongruous in simpler systems and enable the design and tuning of molecules for desired applications. We will discuss experimental progress toward using polyatomic molecules for CP-violation searches, which benefit from the ability to combine photon cycling with high polarizability through parity doublets and the ability to control electromagnetic interactions, as well as the ability to include a wide range of nuclei, including radioactive species. We will also discuss theoretical progress toward developing new motifs for engineering molecules with photon cycling centers with distinctly different properties than those previously developed, and which offer new opportunities and directions for fundamental and quantum science.