Tests of fundamental symmetries and interactions – using nuclei and lasers

Abstract

State of the art laser technology and modern spectroscopic methods allow to address issues of fundamental symmetries and fundamental interactions in atoms with high precision experiments. In particular the discrete symmetries Parity (P), Charge Conjugation (C), Time Reversal (T) as well as their combinations CP and CPT are in the center of interest at present. Actual projects are concerned with Parity Violation in atoms, Time Reversal Violation in β-decays and searches for permanent Electric Dipole Moments (EDMs), and tests of CPT conservation in particle-antiparticle properties, in particular antiprotonic atoms.