Symmetry violation in nuclei

Abstract

Nuclear experiments which probe the parity and time‐reversal symmetries are reviewed. The P‐violating NN interaction, studied in the NN system and in light nuclei, provides a unique window on the neutral current quark‐quark interaction. Results at low energy are in accord with expectations. However, surprises may occur when higher energies are studied in more detail. Sensitive probes of T‐violation via detailed balance, T‐odd correlations in γ and β‐decay, T‐odd effects in low‐energy neutron scattering, and searches for nuclear electric dipole moments (EDM) are discussed. No T‐violation is observed, but in several cases substantial improvements in the experimental sensitivity are imminent. Existing EDM limits are almost good enough to eliminate one of the leading theoretical explanations for CP violation.