Time Reversal Symmetry Violation Research Articles

Faraday rotation method improves the upper limit of the electron electric-dipole-moment sensitivity.

The electron electric-dipole-moment (eEDM) is a powerful tool for exploring new particles. The candidates for eEDM search are heavy atoms and their molecules, which are well known for the obvious relativistic effect. Lead atom is considered to be the most ideal relativistic atom [Park et al., Nat. Commun. 11(1), 815 (2020)]. PbH molecule is an important representative of the Pb compound and is considered a cold candidate molecule due to the high diagonal Franck-Condon factors. We systematically investigated the (eEDM) searches of PbH using a two-component approach. The parity- and time-reversal symmetry violation constants of ground and excited states, including internal effective electric field Eeff, electron-nucleon scalar-pseudoscalar interaction constant WP,T, and nuclear magnetic quadrupole moment, were obtained and compared to other molecules. In addition, we designed two experimental methods to measure the sensitivity of the eEDM, indicating that the Faraday rotation method could greatly improve its sensitivity.

Simple model for the gap in the surface states of the antiferromagnetic topological insulator MnBi[formula omitted]Te[formula omitted]

We study the influence of the antiferromagnetic order on the surface states of topological insulators. We derive an effective Hamiltonian for these states, taking into account the spatial structure of the antiferromagnetic order. We obtain a typical (gapless) Dirac Hamiltonian for the surface states when the surface of the sample is not perturbed. Gapless spectrum is protected by the combination of time-reversal and half-translation symmetries. However, a shift in the chemical potential of the surface layer opens a gap in the spectrum away from the Fermi energy. Such a gap occurs only in systems with finite antiferromagnetic order. We observe that the system topology remains unchanged even for large values of the disorder. We calculate the spectrum using the tight-binding model with different boundary condition. In this case we get a gap in the spectrum of the surface states. This discrepancy arises due to the violation of the combined time-reversal symmetry. We compare our results with experiments and density functional theory calculations.

Falling liquid films on a uniformly heated compliant substrate with broken time-reversal symmetry

This study aims to analyze the dynamics of a thin Newtonian liquid film on a uniformly heated compliant substrate. We consider the violation of time-reversal symmetry in the liquid, resulting in an additional non-zero term in the liquid stress tensor. Using the long-wave expansion technique, we derive a set of coupled equations governing the film thickness and substrate deformation, accounting for inertia, surface tension, thermocapillarity, and odd viscosity. Through linear stability analysis and spatiotemporal simulations, we observe that the compliant substrate enhances instability, while wall heating exacerbates it. However, the introduction of odd viscosity effectively suppresses these instabilities, as confirmed by the agreement between simulation and theoretical predictions.

Electronic spectroscopy and ionization potentials for YbOH and YbOCH3

The polyatomic molecules YbOH and ${\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3}$ have been recognized as being of potential value for spectroscopic experiments that explore charge-parity and time-reversal symmetry violation effects. These measurements require very high precision, which, in turn, will necessitate that the molecules be manipulated at ultracold temperatures. Both YbOH and ${\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3}$ have electronic transitions that appear suitable for laser cooling ($\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{A}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{1/2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{X}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$ and $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{A\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{E}_{1/2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{X}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{A}_{1}$, respectively) but the currently available spectroscopic data are not sufficient to determine the extent to which population leaks may compromise the optical cooling processes. A further complication is that the quantum states of interest for these measurements will need to be selectively populated. The $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{A}\text{--}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{X}$ band systems of both YbOH and ${\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3}$ show evidence of vibronic perturbations, such that there are unassigned vibronic features at energies that are just above the origin bands. In the present study we have recorded spectra for the $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{A}$ ${}^{2}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}}_{1/2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{X}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$ transition of jet-cooled YbOD to facilitate the vibronic assignments. In addition, spectra for the $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{B}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{X}{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}^{+}$ transition of YbOH were recorded, establishing the origin band at 20 473.8 $\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Previously, the reaction of Yb with ${\mathrm{CH}}_{3}\mathrm{OH}$ has been used to generate gas-phase ${\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3}$. As this reaction also yields YbOH, there have been complications in spectroscopic studies of ${\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3}$ due to overlap of the $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{A}\text{--}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{X}$ band systems. To identify specific regions of overlap, resonantly enhanced two-photon ionization spectra were recorded using mass-resolved detection of the $\mathrm{YbO}{\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3}^{+}$ ions. These data confirmed the overlap of vibronic bands near 17 640 and 17 680 $\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Two-photon ionization spectroscopy also provided accurate ionization energies (IE), $\mathrm{IE}(\mathrm{YbOH})=45\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}788(10)$ and $\mathrm{IE}({\mathrm{YbOCH}}_{3})=45\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}283(10)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The IE for YbOH is relevant to problems encountered in previous attempts to determine the bond-dissociation energy of $\mathrm{YbO}{\mathrm{H}}^{+}$.

Universal intrinsic higher-rank spin tensor Hall effect

The spin Hall effect with nonzero transverse spin current but vanishing charge current has important applications in spintronics. Owing to the half-spin nature of electrons, the spin transport has hitherto been restricted to the rank-1 spin vector, whereas higher-rank spin tensors exist and play important roles in larger-spin ($\ensuremath{\ge}1$) systems. For instance, there are five linearly independent rank-2 spin quadrupole tensors, characterizing the spin nematics, in a spin-1 system. While these internal spin-tensor degrees of freedom substantially enrich the quantum phases and dynamics of large-spin ultracold gases, the quantum transport of spin tensors remains largely unexplored yet. Here we investigate the higher-rank spin tensor current and introduce the concept of the spin tensor Hall effect (STHE) in a large-spin system. We find that a net transverse spin tensor current can be driven by an external field in the longitudinal direction, while no lower-rank spin or charge current exists. Significantly, we identify a universal rank-2 spin tensor Hall conductivity $q/8\ensuremath{\pi}$ (with the carrier charge $q$) in a spin-1 model with intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, which is independent of the detailed model parameters. The STHE requires the violation of time-reversal symmetry (TRS) but can be protected by a unique pseudo-TRS associated with the rank-2 spin tensor. An experimental scheme is proposed to realize and detect the STHE with pseudospin-1 ultracold fermionic atoms and through the spin tensor accumulation. A general route towards the generalization of the STHE for larger spins is provided, using the SU(2) subalgebra and generalized Gell-Mann matrix representation of the $\mathrm{SU}(N$) group. Our work reveals an intrinsic spin tensor transport phenomenon and introduce a new member to the Hall effect families, which may pave the way to spin-tensor-tronics.

Magnetoelectric‐Field Electrodynamics: Search for Magnetoelectric Point Scatterers

AbstractResonant scattering of electromagnetic (EM) waves by small particles is considered as one of the basic problems in metamaterial science. At present, special subwavelength resonators are considered as structural elements in chiral and bianisotropic metamaterials. There is a general consensus that these small scatterers behave like “artificial atoms” with strong electrical and magnetic responses and an interconnection between these responses. However, the observed effect of magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in these meta‐atoms is not associated with the near‐field manipulation properties caused by intrinsic magnetoelectricity. This arises the question whether ME point scatterers of EM radiation really exist. In this paper, we show that there are mesoscopic structures with electric and magnetic dipole‐carrying excitations that behave like point scatterers with their inherent magnetoelectricity. In such subwavelength resonators, coherent oscillations of the electric polarization and magnetization can be considered as quasistatic oscillations described by electrostatic (ES) and magnetostatic (MS) scalar wave functions. The ME resonance effect arises from the coupling of two, ES and MS, oscillations. The near fields of these resonators, called the ME near fields, are characterized by simultaneous violation of time reversal and inversion symmetry. In study of ME fields and EM problems associated with these fields, we put forward the concept of ME‐field electrodynamics.

Model-Independent Test of T Violation in Neutrino Oscillations.

We propose a method to establish time reversal symmetry violation at future neutrino oscillation experiments in a largely model-independent way. We introduce a general parametrization of flavor transition probabilities that holds under weak assumptions and covers a large class of new physics scenarios. This can be used to search for the presence of T-odd components in the transition probabilities by comparing data at different baselines but at the same neutrino energies. We show that this test can be performed already with experiments at three different baselines and might be feasible with experiments under preparation or consideration.

Time irreversibility in active matter, from micro to macro

Active matter encompasses systems whose individual constituents dissipate energy to exert propelling forces on their environment. These systems exhibit dynamical phenomena with no counterpart in passive systems. In this Review, we disentangle the respective roles of the arrow of time and the non-Boltzmann nature of steady-state fluctuations in this rich phenomenology. We show that effective, time-reversible descriptions of active systems may be found at all scales and discuss how interactions, either between constituents or with external operators, may reveal the nonequilibrium nature of the microscopic source of energy. At a time when engineering active materials appears to be becoming possible, we argue that methods stemming from equilibrium statistical mechanics may guide the design of new active materials. Much of the rich phenomenology of active matter can be traced back to violations of time-reversal symmetry and departure from Boltzmann statistics. This Review disentangles these nonequilibrium signatures for interacting and dilute systems, in the presence of obstacles and external potentials.

Model-independent test of T violation in neutrino oscillations

We propose a method to establish time reversal symmetry violation at future neutrino oscillation experiments in a largely model-independent way. We introduce a general parametrization of flavour transition probabilities which holds under weak assumptions and covers a large class of new-physics scenarios. This can be used to search for the presence of T-odd components in the transition probabilities by comparing data at different baselines but at the same neutrino energies. We show that this test can be performed already with experiments at three different baselines and might be feasible with experiments under preparation/consideration.

CeNTREX: a new search for time-reversal symmetry violation in the 205Tl nucleus

The Cold molecule Nuclear Time-Reversal EXperiment (CeNTREX) is a new effort aiming for a significant increase in sensitivity over the best present upper bounds on the strength of hadronic time reversal (T) violating fundamental interactions. The experimental signature will be shifts in nuclear magnetic resonance frequencies of 205Tl in electrically-polarized thallium fluoride (TlF) molecules. Here we describe the motivation for studying these T-violating interactions and for using TlF to do so. To achieve higher sensitivity than earlier searches for T-violation in TlF, CeNTREX uses a cryogenic molecular beam source, optical state preparation and detection, and modern methods of coherent quantum state manipulation. Details of the measurement scheme and the current state of the apparatus are presented, with quantitative measurements of the TlF beam. Finally, the estimated sensitivity and methods to control systematic errors are discussed.

Hierarchical microphase separation in non-conserved active mixtures

Non-equilibrium phase separating systems with reactions, such as biomolecular condensates and bacteria colonies, can break time-reversal symmetry (TRS) in two distinct ways. Firstly, the conservative and non-conservative sectors of the dynamics can be governed by incompatible free energies; when both sectors are present, this is the leading-order TRS violation, captured in its simplest form by ‘Model AB’. Second, the diffusive dynamics can break TRS in its own right. This happens only at higher order in the gradient expansion (but is the leading behaviour without reactions present) and is captured by ‘Active Model B+’ (AMB+). Each of the two mechanisms can lead to microphase separation, by quite different routes. Here we introduce Model AB+, for which both mechanisms are simultaneously present, and show that for slow reaction rates the system can undergo a new type of hierarchical microphase separation, which we call ‘bubbly microphase separation’. In this state, small droplets of one fluid are continuously created and absorbed into large droplets, whose length-scales are controlled by the competing reactive and diffusive dynamics.

Calculations of time-reversal-symmetry-violation sensitivity parameters based on analytic relativistic coupled-cluster gradient theory

We develop an analytic-gradient based method for relativistic coupled-cluster calculations of effective electric field, $\mathcal{E}_{\text{eff}}$, with improved efficiency and robustness over the previous state of the art. The enhanced capability to calculate this time-reversal symmetry violation sensitivity parameter enables efficient screening of candidate molecules for the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) search. As examples, the |$\mathcal{E}_{\text{eff}}$| values of metal methoxides including BaOCH$_3$, YbOCH$_3$, and RaOCH$_3$ are shown to be as large as those of the corresponding fluorides and hydroxides, which supports the recent proposal of using these symmetric-top molecules to improve the sensitivity of eEDM measurements. The computational results also show that molecules containing late actinide elements, NoF, NoOH, LrO, and LrOH$^+$, exhibit particularly large |$\mathcal{E}_{\text{eff}}$| values of around 200 GV/cm.

Target-normal single spin asymmetries measured with positrons

Two-photon exchange and the larger class of hadronic box diagrams are difficult to calculate without a large degree of model-dependence. At the same time, these processes are significant radiative corrections in parity-violating electron scattering, in neutron decay, and may even be responsible for the proton’s form factor ratio discrepancy. New kinds of experimental data are needed to help constrain models and guide future box-diagram calculations. The target-normal single spin asymmetry, $$A_n$$ , formed with an unpolarized beam scattering from a target that is polarized normal to the scattering plane, is sensitive to the imaginary part of the two-photon exchange amplitude, and can provide a valuable constraint. A measurement with both electrons and positrons can reduce sources of experimental error, and distinguish between the effects of two-photon exchange and those of time-reversal symmetry violation. This article describes a proposed experiment in Hall A, using the new Super Big-Bite Spectrometer that can cover a momentum transfer range in the critical zone of uncertainty between where hadronic calculations and those based on partonic degrees of freedom are expected to be accurate.

Observation and laser spectroscopy of ytterbium monomethoxide,YbOCH3

We describe a laser spectroscopic study of ytterbium monomethoxide, YbOCH$_3$, a species of interest to searches for time-reversal symmetry violation using laser-cooled molecules. We report measurements of vibrational structure in the $\tilde{X}$ and $\tilde{A}$ states, vibrational branching ratios for several components of the $\tilde{A}$ state, and radiative lifetimes of low-lying electronic states. $\textit{Ab initio}$ calculations are used to aid the assignment of vibronic emission bands and provide insight into the electronic and vibrational structure. Our results demonstrate that rapid optical cycling is feasible for YbOCH$_3$, opening a path to orders-of-magnitude increased sensitivity in future measurements of P- and/or T-violating physics.

Time-reversal symmetry violations and entropy production in field theories of polar active matter

We investigate the steady-state entropy production rate (EPR) in the hydrodynamic Vicsek model (HVM) and diffusive flocking model (DFM). Both models display a transition from an isotropic gas to a polar liquid (flocking) phase, in addition to travelling polar clusters and microphase-separation in the miscibility gap. The phase diagram of the DFM, which may be considered an extension of the HVM, contains additional structure at low densities where we find a novel crystal phase in which a stationary hexagonal lattice of high-density ridges surround low density valleys. From an assessment of the scaling of the EPR at low noise, we uncover that the dynamics in this limit may be organised into three main classes based on the dominant contribution. Truly nonequilibrium dynamics is characterised by a divergent EPR in this limit, and sustains global time-reversal symmetry (TRS) violating currents at zero noise. On the other hand, marginally nonequilibrium and effectively equilibrium dynamics have a finite EPR in this limit, and TRS is broken only at the level of fluctuations. For the latter of these two cases, detailed balance is restored in the small noise limit and we recover effective Boltzmann statistics to lowest nontrivial order. We further demonstrate that the scaling of the EPR may change depending on the dynamical variables that are tracked when it is computed, and the protocol chosen for time-reversal. Results acquired from numerical simulations of the dynamics confirm both the asymptotic scaling relations we derive and our quantitative predictions.

Perfect absorption in complex scattering systems with or without hidden symmetries

Wavefront shaping (WFS) schemes for efficient energy deposition in weakly lossy targets is an ongoing challenge for many classical wave technologies relevant to next-generation telecommunications, long-range wireless power transfer, and electromagnetic warfare. In many circumstances these targets are embedded inside complicated enclosures which lack any type of (geometric or hidden) symmetry, such as complex networks, buildings, or vessels, where the hypersensitive nature of multiple interference paths challenges the viability of WFS protocols. We demonstrate the success of a general WFS scheme, based on coherent perfect absorption (CPA) electromagnetic protocols, by utilizing a network of coupled transmission lines with complex connectivity that enforces the absence of geometric symmetries. Our platform allows for control of the local losses inside the network and of the violation of time-reversal symmetry via a magnetic field; thus establishing CPA beyond its initial concept as the time-reversal of a laser cavity, while offering an opportunity for better insight into CPA formation via the implementation of semiclassical tools.

On the Second Dipole Moment of Dirac’s Particle

An analysis is presented of the possible existence of the second anomalous dipole moment of Dirac’s particle next to the one associated with the angular momentum. It includes a discussion why, in spite of his own derivation, Dirac has doubted about its relevancy. It is shown why since then it has been overlooked and why it has vanished from leading textbooks. A critical survey is given on the reasons of its reject, including the failure of attempts to measure and the perceived violations of time reversal symmetry and charge–parity symmetry. It is emphasized that the anomalous electric dipole moment of the pointlike electron (AEDM) is fundamentally different from the quantum field type electric dipole moment of an electron (eEDM) as defined in the standard model of particle physics. The analysis has resulted into the identification of a third type Dirac particle, next to the electron type and the Majorana particle. It is shown that, unlike as in the case of the electron type, its second anomalous dipole moment is real valued and is therefore subject to polarization in a scalar potential field. Examples are given that it may have a possible impact in the nuclear domain and in the gravitational domain.

Accurate determination of the enhancement factor X for the nuclear Schiff moment in 205TlF molecule based on the four-component relativistic coupled-cluster theory

Studies of parity (P) and time-reversal (T) symmetry violations using molecules are important and attractive because they are complementary to the high-energy tests of physics beyond the Standard Model of elementary particles. The focus of our present work is to surpass the current accuracies of the quantity X, an enhancement factor for the nuclear Schiff moment (Q), and the nucleon electric dipole moments for the 205TlF molecule. We obtain X = 6856 a.u. using a relativistic coupled-cluster singles and doubles and perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) approach. This new value of X improves the upper limits for Q and the proton EDM by about ten percent over the previous ones.

Time-reversal asymmetry without local moments via directional scalar spin chirality

Invariably, time-reversal symmetry (TRS) violation in a state of matter is identified with static magnetism in it. Here, a directional scalar spin chiral order (DSSCO) phase is introduced that disobeys this basic principle: it breaks TRS but has no density of static moments. It can be obtained by melting the spin moments in a magnetically ordered phase but retaining residual broken TRS. Orbital moments are then precluded by the spatial symmetries of the spin rotation symmetric state. It is allowed in one, two and three dimensions under different conditions of temperature and disorder. Recently, polar Kerr effect experiments in the mysterious pseudogap phase of the underdoped cuprates hinted at a strange form of broken TRS below a temperature TK, that exhibits a hysteretic ‘memory effect’ above TK and begs reconciliation with nuclear magnetic resonance (which sees no moments), x-ray diffraction (which finds charge ordering tendencies) and the Nernst effect (which detects nematicity). Remarkably, the DSSCO provides a phenomenological route for reconciling all these observations, and it is conceivable that it onsets at the pseudogap temperature ∼T*. A six-spin interaction mediated by enhanced fluctuations of velocity asymmetry between left- and right-movers above the onset of charge ordering in the cuprates is proposed as the driving force behind DSSCO formation. A testable prediction of the existence of the DSSCO in the cuprates is a Kerr signal above TK triggered and trainable by a current driven along one of the in-plane axes, but not by a current along the other.

Neutrino elastic scattering on polarized electrons as a tool for probing the neutrino nature

Possibility of using the polarized electron target (PET) for testing the neutrino nature is considered. It is assumed that the incoming nu _e beam is the superposition of left chiral (LC) states with right chiral (RC) ones. Consequently the non-vanishing transversal components of nu _e spin polarization may appear, both T-even and T-odd. nu _es are produced by the low energy monochromatic (un)polarized emitter located at a near distance from the hypothetical detector which is able to measure both the azimuthal angle and the polar angle of the recoil electrons, and/or also the energy of the outgoing electrons with a high resolution. A detection process is the elastic scattering of nu _es (Dirac or Majorana) on the polarized electrons. LC nu _es interact mainly by the standard V - A interaction, while RC ones participate only in the non-standard V + A, scalar S_R, pseudoscalar P_R and tensor T_R interactions. All the interactions are of flavour-conserving type (FC). We show that a distinction between the Dirac and the Majorana nu _es is possible both for the longitudinal and the transversal nu _e polarizations. In the first case a departure from the standard prediction of the azimuthal asymmetry of recoil electrons is caused by the interferences between the non-standard complex S and T couplings, proportional to the angular correlations (T-even and T-odd) among the polarization of the electron target, the incoming neutrino momentum and the outgoing electron momentum. It is shown that such a deviation would indicate the Dirac nu _e nature and the presence of time reversal symmetry violation interactions. It is remarkable that the result is conclusive for all Majorana non-standard couplings. In the second case the azimuthal asymmetries, polar distribution and energy spectrum of scattered electrons are sensitive to the interference terms between the standard and exotic interactions, proportional to the various angular correlations among the transversal nu _e spin polarization, the electron target polarization, the incoming nu _e momentum and the outgoing electron momentum. In the particular case of the V–A and S couplings the precise measurement of some observables, e.g. the spectrum, can distinguish between the Dirac and the Majorana nu _es as long as the incoming nu _e beam has non-vanishing transversal polarization. Our model-independent study is carried out for the flavour nu _e eigenstates in the relativistic nu _e limit.