The prospects for a new search for the electron electric dipole moment in solid Gadolinium iron garnet ceramics

Abstract

We address a number of issues regarding solid state electron electric dipole moment (EDM) experiments, focusing on gadolinium iron garnet (abbreviated GdIG, chemical formula Gd$_3$Fe$_5$O$_{12}$) as a possible sample material. GdIG maintains its high magnetic susceptibility down to 4.2 K, which enhances the EDM-induced magnetization of a sample placed in an electric field. We estimate that lattice polarizability gives rise to an EDM enhancement factor of approximately 20. We also calculate the effect of the demagnetizing field for various sample geometries and permeabilities. Measurements of intrinsic GdIG magnetization noise are presented, and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem is used to compare our data with the measurements of the imaginary part of GdIG permeability at 4.2 K, showing good agreement above frequencies of a few hertz. We also observe how the demagnetizing field suppresses the noise-induced magnetic flux, confirming our calculations. The statistical sensitivity of an EDM search based on a solid GdIG sample is estimated to be on the same level as the present experimental limit. Such a measurement would be valuable, given the completely different methods and systematics involved. The most significant systematics in such an experiment are the magnetic hysteresis and the magneto-electric effect. Our analysis shows that it should be possible to control these at the level of statistical sensitivity.