Electron EDM searches based on alkali or alkaline earth bearing molecules

Abstract

We introduce four new molecules -- YbRb, YbCs, YbSr$^+$, and YbBa$^+$ -- that may prove fruitful in experimental searches for the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the electron. These molecules can, in principle, be prepared at extremely low temperatures by photoassociating ultracold atoms, and therefore may present an advantage over molecular beam experiments. Here we discuss properties of these molecules and assess the effective electric fields they contribute to an electron EDM measurement.