Francium spectroscopy: Towards a low energy test of the standard model

Journal Article · Sat Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1997 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.53253· OSTI ID:21165602

Orozco, L A; Simsarian, J E; Sprouse, G D; Zhao, W Z ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800 (United States)

An atomic parity non-conservation measurement can test the predictions of the standard model for the electron-quark coupling constants. The measurements, performed at very low energies compared to the Z{sup 0} pole, can be sensitive to physics beyond the standard model. Francium, the heaviest alkali, is a viable candidate for atomic parity violation measurements. The extraction of weak interaction parameters requires a detailed knowledge of the electronic wavefunctions of the atom. Measurements of atomic properties of francium provide data for careful comparisons with ab initio calculations of its atomic structure. The spectroscopy, including energy level location and atomic lifetimes, is carried out using the recently developed techniques of laser cooling and trapping of atoms.

• OSTI ID: 21165602
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 400; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ATOMS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COUPLING CONSTANTS
ELECTRONS
ENERGY LEVELS
FRANCIUM
LIFETIME
P INVARIANCE
PARITY
QUARKS
SPECTROSCOPY
STANDARD MODEL
TRAPPING
WAVE FUNCTIONS
WEAK INTERACTIONS