Formation of gaseous, doubly charged cerium monofluoride CeF²⁺ and its sensitivity to new physics

Tricationic protactinium monofluoride $²²⁹$PaF$³⁺$ has been proposed as a candidate for probing physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Since studies with ²²⁹PaF³⁺ require significant experimental advances, we exploit the stable, valence-isoelectronic dicationic cerium monofluoride CeF$²⁺$ as a surrogate. Gas-phase fluorinated-cerium molecular ions are formed and identified using the Off-Line Ion Source and TITAN mass measurement facilities at TRIUMF. Quantum chemical calculations are performed on the electronic structure of CeF²⁺, revealing a parallel to that of ²²⁹PaF³⁺. Moreover, these calculations provide estimates on the sensitivity of CeF²⁺ itself to various mathcal{P,T}-odd properties. A brief discourse on the specifics of the quantum control of CeF²⁺ is presented which anticipates future searches for symmetry violations.