This dissertation reports results of an experimental search for the intrinsic Electric Dipole Moment (EDM) of the electron using a solid-state technique. The search for the electron EDM is intended to test the discrete symmetries assumed in the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. Due to the different transformation properties of the EDM (a polar vector) and the spin (a pseudo-vector), the electron EDM requires the physical laws governing the electron to violate both the time reversal (T) and the parity (P) symmetries. While the phenomena of P violation is firmly established in numerous experiments, T violation has only been observed directly in the neutral-kaon system, with more searches in the B system underway. A nonzero EDM measurement would provide crucial information about the nature of T-violation. The physics of T violation is often linked, via the CPT theorem, to the violation of the combined Charge conjugation (C) and parity symmetries. CP violation is needed to explain the mystery of the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry in the present Universe. Using the known CP violation in the CKM matrix, the SM predicts the electron EDM to be smaller than 10⁻³⁸ e·cm, which is well beyond the reach of the current experimental techniques. New sources of CP violation beyond the SM often lead to a sizable EDM that can be compared with experimental constraints. Free from the SM backgrounds, measurements of EDM are a powerful way to test various extensions to the SM.

While the conventional experimental technique used to measure EDM is based on nuclear magnetic resonance, we are pursuing an alternative approach using a solid state technique at a low temperature that would improve the present experimental limit on the electron EDM. The experiment uses a paramagnetic insulator Gadolinium Gallium Garnet with a large magnetic susceptibility. The presence of the electron EDM leads to a small but non-zero magnetization when the garnet sample is subjected to a strong electric field. The resulting Stark-induced magnetization is measured using a state-of-the art Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. In this dissertation, the solid state method is described and progress on efforts to control the systematic effects and improve the sensitivity are discussed. The major efforts include the design and implementation of a 24-bit data acquisition system with ultra-low degrees of channel cross-talk as well as the control of the voltage drift from the high voltage polarity switch system. This dissertation reports the first background-free experimental limit on the electron EDM of (−5.57±7.98±0.12)×10 ⁻²⁵ e·cm with 5 days of data averaging. The limit is presently the most sensitive result achieved using the solid state technique.