Testing fundamental symmetries with short lived isotopes
Prof. Dr. Lorenz Willmann (KVI, University of Groningen, The Netherlands)

The discrete symmetries parity (P, spatial inversion), particle-antiparticle (C, charge conjugation) and time reversal symmetry (T) are at the core of the description of physical processes in the Standard Model of the electroweak interactions. Individual symmetries can be violated, as for example P in the weak interactions, but no violation of the combination of the three symmetries (CPT) has been found so far. Additional sources for symmetry violations, i.e. CP-violation, can for example give hints for an explanation of the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The high precision, which can be achieved in atomic physics experiments can be exploited to investigate the effects of the symmetries. Here we will discuss atomic parity violation and searches for permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs). Both effects are sensitive to atomic structure and are larger in high Z atoms. In particular, isotopes of the heavy alkaline earth element radium are highly suitable for such experimental efforts.