Towards a magnetic centrifuge decelerator for polar molecules for testing fundamental symmetries of the universe.

Searching for a non-zero permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of fundamental particles sheds light on physics beyond the Standard Model. Particularly, a non-zero EDM is a signature of additional CP violating interactions which are required to explain the observed asymmetry between matter and anti-matter in our Universe. Polar molecules containing ²²⁵Ra offer a quantum metrology platform with enhanced EDM interactions due to the molecules large internal electric field and parity doublet from the heavily deformed ²²⁵Ra nuclei. To make a precision measurement on their energy spectrum that can resolve the CP-violating interactions, these molecules need to be slowed down and cooled to the ultracold regime (≲1 mKelvin). Here we present a method for slowing molecules to a standstill using a centrifuge decelerator. The decelerator guides the molecules through a centrifugal potential hill that removes kinetic energy as the molecules move from the periphery to the center of the rotating frame. The method is shown to have higher yield, density, and efficiency than current molecular slowing schemes. Additionally, we present progress towards designing and constructing a second decelerator using a magnetic molecular guide.