Laser trapping of Radium and progress towards an electric dipole moment measurement

Permanent electric dipole moments (EDMs) in atoms or molecules are signatures of Time (T)-and Parity (P)-violation and represent an important window onto physics beyond the Standard Model. We are developing a next generation EDM search around laser-cooled and trapped Ra-225. Due to octupole deformation of the nucleus, Ra-225 is predicted to be two to three orders of magnitude more sensitive to T-violating interactions than Hg-199, which currently sets the most stringent limits in the nuclear sector. We will discuss our progress, including the successful laser cooling and trapping of Ra-226 atoms. Using the $^{1}$S$_{0}$ F=0 -- $^{3}$P$_{1}$ F=1 transition, we have demonstrated transverse cooling, Zeeman slowing, and capture of Ra-226 atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). By repumping the $^{3}$D$_{1}$ dark state to the $^{1}$P$_{1}$ state, which decays back to ground $^{1}$S$_{0}$ state, we have extended the lifetime of the trap from milliseconds to seconds.