High-accuracy calculation of parity nonconservation in cesium and implications for particle physics

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.45.1602· OSTI ID:7048757

Blundell, S A ^[1]; Sapirstein, J; Johnson, W R ^[2]

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1. University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)
2. Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 (United States)

High-precision measurements of atomic parity-nonconserving transitions in cesium when coupled with calculations of similar accuracy allow for a precise determination of {ital Q}{sub {ital W}}, the weak nuclear charge. When expressed in terms of the {ital Z} mass, radiative corrections to {ital Q}{sub {ital W}} are insensitive to the top-quark mass, so such a determination of {ital Q}{sub {ital W}} allows a particularly sensitive probe of radiative corrections depending on new physics. While the wave function of cesium, the atom in which the most accurate measurements have been made, is extremely complex, atomic theory has advanced to a point where predictions accurate to 1% can be made. This paper describes such a calculation with particular emphasis on the question of the reliability of the atomic theory. Particle-physics implications following from the present state of theory and experiment are discussed, and prospects for more accurate work described.

• OSTI ID: 7048757
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (United States) Vol. 45:5; ISSN PRVDA; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

662220* -- Quantum Electrodynamics-- (1992-)
662390 -- Electromagnetic Processes & Properties-- (1992-)
664100 -- Theory of Electronic Structure of Atoms & Molecules-- (1992-)
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
ATOMIC MODELS
CESIUM
CORRECTIONS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
FERMIONS
FIELD THEORIES
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONS
GASES
HELIUM
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MANY-BODY PROBLEM
MASS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
NONMETALS
P INVARIANCE
PERTURBATION THEORY
POSTULATED PARTICLES
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
QUARKS
RADIATIVE CORRECTIONS
RARE GASES
TOP PARTICLES
WAVE FUNCTIONS