Possibility of measuring parity nonconservation with a single trapped atomic ion

Abstract

A new way of measuring atomic parity nonconservation is proposed that utilizes the remarkable sensitivity inherent in experiments with a single trapped atomic ion. The accuracy may be sufficient to provide a valuable test of electroweak theory. As an illustration, the prospects are analyzed for carrying out such a measurement with ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ by observing the ground state spin rotation induced by an intense laser beam. This technique might also be used to search for T-odd interactions in atomic ions.