Searches for T-odd interactions in nuclear processes: Review of the theory

CP-violation has been seen so far only in the neutral kaon system. Its origin is still unknown. If the CPT theorem holds, as is the case in gauge theories, CP-violating interactions violate also time reversal (T) invariance. Regarding the CPT theorem there is some experimental evidence that the interaction responsible for the observed CP-violation violates T-invariance. The observed CP-violation may just be a manifestation of the weak interaction of the Standard Model (SM), or it is due to an interaction beyond the SM. In both cases some of the new interactions may give rise to observable CP-violation where the SM contribution is invisible. This underlines the importance of searching for CP-violating and T-violating effects in many processes. In this talk we shall review what has been learned about T-violating interactions that can be probed in nuclear processes from experiments outside of and within nuclear physics, and consider the role of nuclear physics experiments in obtaining further information on such interactions