Formation of gaseous, doubly charged cerium monofluoride CeF${}^{2+}$ and its sensitivity to new physics

Abstract

Tricationic protactinium monofluoride (${}^{229}$PaF${}^{3+}$) has been proposed as a candidate for probing physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Since studies with ${}^{229}$PaF${}^{3+}$ require significant experimental advances, we exploit the stable, valence-isoelectronic dicationic cerium monofluoride (CeF${}^{2+}$) as a surrogate. Gas-phase fluorinated-cerium molecular ions are formed and identified using the Off-Line Ion Source and TITAN mass measurement facilities at TRIUMF. Quantum chemical calculations are performed on the electronic structure of CeF${}^{2+}$, revealing a parallel to that of ${}^{229}$PaF${}^{3+}$. Moreover, these calculations provide estimates on the sensitivity of CeF${}^{2+}$ itself to various $\mathcal{P},\mathcal{T}$-odd properties. A brief discourse on the specifics of the quantum control of CeF${}^{2+}$ is presented which anticipates future searches for symmetry violations.

30 pages, 13 figures