Measurement of Parity Nonconservation in Atomic Cesium

Abstract

A new measurement of parity nonconservation in cesium is reported. The experimental technique involves measurement of the $6S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7S$ transition rate by use of crossed atomic and laser beams in a region of perpendicular electric and magnetic fields. Our results are $\frac{\mathrm{Im}{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{PNC}}}{\ensuremath{\beta}}=\ensuremath{-}1.65\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13$ mV/cm and ${C}_{2p}=\ensuremath{-}2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2$. These results are in agreement with previous measurements in cesium and the predictions of the electroweak standard model. This experimental technique will allow future measurements of significantly higher precision.