			15min:

ThF⁺ AS A CANDIDATE FOR eEDM MEASUREMENTS.

MICHAEL C. HEAVEN, JOSHUA H. BARTLETT, Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322.

The low-lying ³ Delta ₁ state of ThF⁺ has advantageous properties for studies of the electron electric dipole moment. Calculations indicate that internal fields as high as 90 GV/cm can be generated, and there is just one isotope of ThF with significant natural abundance. Previous experiments show two low-lying electronic states of ThF⁺ spaced by 315 cm^-1 (JCP 136, 104305 (2012)). These are ¹ Sigma and ³ Delta ₁, but the ordering is still in question. Experiments are in progress to determine the electronic angular momentum of the ground state.

Laser excitation spectra for ThF⁺ have been recorded for transitions in the 19300-21100 cm^-1 range. For eEDM studies it is technically more convenient to work with lower energy transitions. Survey spectra covering the range 15000-19000 cm^-1 are currently being recorded. Results from these measurements will be presented and their relevance to possible eEDM studies will be discussed.