Toward a two-dimensional array of ultracold molecular ions controlled with quantum logic to perform precision measurements of time-reversal and parity violating effects

Molecular ions can be used as quantum sensors of new physics beyond the Standard Model (SM). Low-energy, high-precision measurements on these molecules could provide crucial information about new particles and new forces at the TeV energy scale. TaO⁺ is chosen in our experiment because of its sensitivity to the effects of the electron’s Electric Dipole Moment (eEDM) and the Nuclear Magnetic Quadrupole Moment (NMQM), which both violate parity (P) and time-reversal (T) symmetry. Additional sources of T violation beyond those included in the SM are required to explain the matter-antimatter imbalance in the universe. We are constructing a new experimental platform that includes a quantum logic scheme to control  and detect quantum states of the ions, a two-dimensional array of traps to multiply experimental throughput, and an integrated photonic device to make light delivery and signal detection both efficient and scalable. This new method has the potential to achieve high frequency accuracy of the measurements by efficient state preparation and readout. It is also expected to achieve a one minute or beyond coherence time which will not only support higher measurement accuracy but will also be beneficial  for exploring and eliminating a variety of systematics. In addition, this platform can be used for other molecular species that are sensitive to different theories of fundamental physics without substantial modification to the experimental setup.