Scope of the workshop
Despite its many successes, the Standard Model of particle physics fails to address some of the profound questions about our Universe, such as the origins of the matter-antimatter asymmetry or the nature of dark matter. Precision measurements of fundamental symmetries have emerged as one of the most promising routes to answer to these pressing mysteries. Recent success was made by transitioning to molecules over atoms, some of which provide vast amplification and constraints on quantities such as EDMs, Schiff, and anapole moments due to significantly larger internal fields and greater tunability in their electronic properties. Radioactive molecules, in particular, offer exciting scientific opportunities due to their additional customizability in their nuclear properties, enabling further amplification of symmetry-violating effects compared to their stable counterparts.
The goal of the workshop is the review recent progress in experiment and theory around the new emerging field of radioactive molecules. Following the virtual workshop at MIT in 2020, this in-person workshop aims to connect researchers from the previously distinct fields of rare-isotope science, particle physics, atomic, molecular and optical physics, molecular science and quantum chemistry. It is expected to stimulate new work and collaborations that will take advantage of major experimental and theoretical developments in both nuclear science and molecular physics such as:
- Recent developments in the production of radioactive molecules
- Precision experiments at accelerator facilities
- Ultra-sensitive atomic and molecular spectroscopy techniques
- Theoretical nuclear physics
- Fundamental physics research with molecular systems
- Theoretical quantum chemistry
- Synergies and applications in other fields
In addition to typical workshop style presentations, we plan to emphasize topical and breakout discussions, as well as community-building exercises.
