Search for Permanent Electric Dipole Moments at COSY Step 1: Spin coherence and systematic error studies

Permanent EDMs (Electric Dipole Moments) of fundamental particle violate both time invariance and parity. Assuming the CPT theorem this implies CP violation. The standard model predicts non-vanishing EDMs, their magnitudes, however, are expected to be unobservably small. Hence, the discovery of a non-zero EDM would be a signal for “new physics”. EDM experiments with charged particles are only possible at storage rings. As a first step towards EDM searches in storage rings, pursued by the recently founded JEDI collaboration, we propose research and development work to be carried out at COSY to maximize the spin coherence time and to reduce systematic spin rotations. Both aspects focus on a first direct measurement of a charged particle EDM in a storage ring at COSY aiming at an upper limit of ≈ 1024 e·cm, and on a longer time scale to reach an even higher sensitivity constructing a dedicated storage ring.