Screening and finite-size corrections to the octupole and Schiff moments

Abstract

Parity (P) and time-reversal (T) violating nuclear forces create P,T-odd moments in expansion of the nuclear electrostatic potential. We derive expression for the nuclear electric octupole field which includes the electron screening correction (similar to the screening term in the Schiff moment). Then we calculate the Z2α2 corrections to the Schiff moment which appear due to the finite nuclear size. Such corrections are important in heavy atoms with nuclear charge Z>50. The Schiff and octupole moments induce atomic electric dipole moments and P,T-odd interactions in molecules which are measured in numerous experiments to test CP-violation theories. © 2012 American Physical Society.