We present new measurements of parity conservation in the 293-nm transition in atomic Tl81205. Linearly polarized 293-nm photons, polarization ε^, are absorbed by 6P122 atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields. The transition probability for each Zeeman component contains a term proportional to ε^·B→ε^·E→×B→ arising from interference between the Stark E1 amplitude βE and the parity-nonconserving E1 amplitude Ep. Our result, [ImEpβ]expt=−1.73±0.33 mV/cm, is compared with estimates based on the standard electroweak model.
Spin of the Tl nucleus is 1/2.
A detailed account is given of observations of parity nonconservation in the 6P122−7P122 transition in Tl81203,205. Absorption of circularly polarized 293-nm photons by 6P122 atoms in an E field results in polarization of the 7P122 state through interference of the Stark E1 amplitude with M1 and parity-nonconserving E1 amplitudes. This polarization is detected by selective excitation of mF=±1 components of the 7P122 state to the 8S122 state and observation of the ensuing decay fluorescence at 323 nm. Systematic corrections due to imperfect circular polarization, misaligned E fields, and residual magnetic fields are determined precisely by a series of auxiliary experiments. The result is expressed in terms of the circular dichroism δexpt=+(2.8−0.9+1.0)×10−3, to be compared with estimates based on the Weinberg-Salam model for sin2θw=0.23:δtheo=+(2.1±0.7)×10−3.
Used 99.999% pure thallium metal with natural isotopic abundances (29.5% Tl203, 70.5% Tl205). SIG(C=+),SIG(C=-) are the cross sections for absorption of 293-nm photons with +- helicity, respectively. Spin of the Tl nucleus is 1/2.
Parity nonconservation is observed in the 6P122−7P122 transition in thallium. Absorption of circularly polarized 293-nm photons by 6P122 atoms in an E field results in polarization of the 7P122 state through interference of Stark E1 amplitudes with M1 and parity-nonconserving E1 amplitudes M and Ep. Detection of this polarization yields the circular dichroism δ=+(5.2±2.4)×10−3, which agrees in sign and magnitude with theoretical estimates based on the Weinberg-Salam model.
Used 99.999% pure thallium metal with natural isotopic abundances (29.5% Tl203, 70.5% Tl205). SIG(C+), SIG(C-) are the cross sections for absorption of 293-nm photons, with +,- helicity, respectively. Spin of the Tl nucleus is 1/2. Statistical errors only.
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