Permanent Electric Dipole Moments (EDMs) of elementary particles violate two
fundamental symmetries: time reversal invariance (T) and parity (P). Assuming
the CPT theorem this implies CP-violation. The CP-violation of the Standard
Model is orders of magnitude too small to be observed experimentally in EDMs in
the foreseeable future. It is also way too small to explain the asymmetry in
abundance of matter and anti-matter in our universe. Hence, other mechanisms of
CP violation outside the realm of the Standard Model are searched for and could
result in measurable EDMs.
Up to now most of the EDM measurements were done with neutral particles. With
new techniques it is now possible to perform dedicated EDM experiments with
charged hadrons at storage rings where polarized particles are exposed to an
electric field. If an EDM exists the spin vector will experience a torque
resulting in change of the original spin direction which can be determined with
the help of a polarimeter. Although the principle of the measurement is simple,
the smallness of the expected effect makes this a challenging experiment
requiring new developments in various experimental areas.
Complementary efforts to measure EDMs of proton, deuteron and light nuclei
are pursued at Brookhaven National Laboratory and at Forschungszentrum Juelich
with an ultimate goal to reach a sensitivity of 10^{-29} e cm.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure
