AMO In the literature: open

Is the electron EDM nonzero above 1e-31 e cm?

In plain words

No electron dipole has been seen down to 4 parts in $10^{30}$ of an electron charge times a centimeter. Next-generation molecule experiments aim to look ten times deeper, where many theories with new heavy particles predict a signal.

Precise statement

Current bound $\mid d_{e}\mid < 4.1e-30\,e\,\mathrm{cm}$ (90% CL, JILA HfF+, 2023), with the Standard Model contribution many orders smaller. Determine whether $d_{e}$ (or the equivalent electron-nucleon coupling $C_{\mathrm{S}}$) is nonzero at the $1e-31\,e\,\mathrm{cm}$ level using polar molecules (ThO, ThF+, YbOH, BaF or others).

What would settle it

A molecular EDM measurement with statistical and systematic uncertainty near 1e-31 e cm, confirmed in a second species.

Status in the literature

Unverified note

JILA's third-generation ThF+ experiment and ACME III (ThO) report progress toward roughly 1e-31 e cm sensitivity as of 2026.

See also