Progress towards FrAg molecules for nuclear CP violation

Abstract

Ultracold francium silver is a promising experiment that has the potential to set a new upper bound on nucleon electric dipole moments. In working towards making francium sil- ver molecules, our short term goal is to develop the knowledge and ability to evaporatively cool francium and silver. This entails finding the scattering properties of francium and silver using photoassociation spectroscopy and developing the ability to sub-Doppler cool silver. In this thesis, I talk about my work towards this goal, including attempting pho- toassociation at TRIUMF during francium beam time, work at the University of Chicago towards photoassociation and gray molasses in silver. Even though these efforts weren’t successful, the next steps are clear. Additionally, I talk about what I’ve accomplished at Waterloo when I’m not working on the francium silver project. This includes working to- wards better control over and stabilization of lasers and experimental optics and beginning optimization of the Cs Zeeman slower.