Radioactive Molecules Are Dying to Reveal New Physics

by Ronald F. Garcia Ruiz (MIT)

Thursday 5 Jun 2025, 15:00 → 17:00 Europe/Berlin

The rapid progress in quantum control and interrogation of single atoms and molecules is opening new opportunities for exploring the properties of fundamental particles and their interactions. In particular, molecules containing heavy, radioactive nuclei with reflection-asymmetric shapes provide unprecedented sensitivity to parity- and time-reversal-violating properties of their fundamental constituents. As a result, precision measurements in these systems are poised to address major open questions in our understanding of the universe, such as the origin of the matter–antimatter asymmetry, the strong CP problem, and the possible existence of new particles.

In this colloquium, I will present recent results and perspectives from precision experiments on these exotic species, including the first studies of radium-containing molecules. I will also discuss how these systems are emerging as a key frontier in fundamental physics, offering capabilities that complement and extend the reach of high-energy and astrophysical experiments.