Towards High Precision Deuteron Polarimetry

A finite electric dipole moment (EDM) in any fundamental system would constitute a signal for new physics. The deuteron presents itself as an optimal candidate both experimentally and theoretically. A new storage ring technique is being developed for which a small change in the vertical polarization would be a signal of a non-zero EDM. A novel polarimeter concept is under investigation. Besides being highly efficient, this polarimeter should continuously monitor the beam polarization, guaranteeing optimal sensitivity. Detailed studies on systematic error control, in addition to the measurement of cross sections and analyzing powers, were carried out at KVI-Groningen in The Netherlands. Measurements were conducted at COSY-Julich in Germany yielding high efficiencies. The (statistics limited) ability to track changes in polarization at the level of a few hundred parts-per-million has been demonstrated. Further studies and developments to meet the final goal of sub-part-per-million sensitivity are in progress.