We have measured parity-nonconserving optical rotation in the vicinity of the M1 absorption transition at 876 nm in bismuth. The result, R = Im(E1PNC/M1) = (-10.0 ± 1.0) centerdot 10-8, is in agreement with calculations based on the standard model of the electroweak interaction. The predicted form of the PNC rotation spectrum has been verified to high accuracy.

Parity non-conserving (PNC) optical rotation has been measured by laser polarimetry in the 648 nm magnetic dipole transition (6p$^{3}J$=$\frac{3}{2}\rightarrow$6p$^{3}J'=\frac{5}{2}$) in atomic bismuth. The experiment involves finding the small differences in rotation between selected frequency points in the vicinity of the F = 6 $\rightarrow$ F' = 7 hyperfine component. Faraday rotation, which can be distinguished from PNC rotation by its wavelength dependence, is used in locking the laser frequency and calibrating the PNC' effect. Results obtained over a six-year period are summarised; a detailed discussion of error sources and associated tests is given. The final result for the PNC parameter of the 648 nm transition is R = (-9.3 $\pm$ 1.4)X10$^{-8}$. This is in agreement with the measurements of Birich et a/ but not with those of Barkov and Zolotorev. It is also consistent with the standard model of the electroweak interaction, but the uncertainty in the atomic theory is now the limiting factor in the comparison.

This paper completes the detailed presentation of our PV experiment on the 6S1/2 - 7S1/2 transition in Cs. A detailed description of the data acquisition and processing is given. The results of two independent measurements made on ΔF = 0 and ΔF =1 hfs components agree, providing an important cross-check. After a complete reanalysis of systematics and calibration, the precision is slightly improved, leading to the weighted average Im Epv 1/β = - 1.52 ± 0.18 mV/cm. Later results from an independent group agree quite well. With the semi-empirical value β = (26.8 ± 0.8) a30, our result yields Epv1 = (- 0.79 ± 0.10) x 10-11 i |e|a0. Coupled with the atomic calculations, this implies that the weak nuclear charge of Cs is Qw = -68 ± 9. This value agrees with the standard electroweak theory and leads to a weak interaction angle sin2 θ W = 0.21 ± 0.04. The complementarity of these measurements with high energy experiments is illustrated.

Parity-violating optical rotation induced by the neutral weak-current interaction has been detected and measured for the first time in atomic thallium vapour. Accurate atomic calculations predicting the size of the rotation are available for this element; thallium also benefits from the Z3 enhancement of the effect. The magnetic-dipole transition 6p1/2-6p3/2 at 1.283 μm was excited using a single-mode semiconductor laser and the small optical rotation was measured using a sensitive polarimeter. The result, expressed in terms of the quantity R = Im E1p.v./M1, is - 12.5(19)10-8 and is consistent with recent calculations based on the standard model.

We report a new measurement of parity nonconserving (PNC) optical rotation on the 6p1/2- 6p3/2 transition in atomic thallium near 1283 nm. The result expressed in terms of the quantity R=Im{E1PNC/M1} is −(15.68±0.45)×10−8, and is consistent with current calculations based on the standard model. In addition, limits have been set on the much smaller nuclear spin-dependent rotation amplitude at RS=(0.04±0.20)×10−8; this is consistent with theoretical estimates which include a nuclear anapole contribution.

We report a new measurement of parity nonconserving (PNC) optical rotation near the 1.28 μm, 6P1/2→6P3/2 magnetic dipole transition in thallium. We find the ratio of the PNC E1 amplitude to the M1 amplitude to be R=(−14.68±0.17)×10−8, which within the present uncertainty of atomic theory yields the thallium weak charge Qw(T205l)=−114.2±3.8 and the electroweak parameter S=−2.2±3.0. Separate measurements on the F=1 and F=0 ground-state hyperfine components of the transition yield R1−R0=(0.15±0.20)×10−8, which limits the size of nuclear spin-dependent PNC in Tl.

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.

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.

We present a new measurement of parity nonconservation in cesium. In this experiment, a laser excited the 6S→7S transition in an atomic beam in a region of static electric and magnetic fields. The quantity measured was the component of the transition rate arising from the interference between the parity nonconserving amplitude, scrEPNC, and the Stark amplitude, βE. Our results are ImscrEPNC/β=−1.65±0.13 mV/cm and C2p=-2±2, where C2p is the proton-axial-vector–electron-vector neutral-current coupling constant. These results are in agreement with previous less precise measurements in cesium and with the predictions of the electroweak standard model. We give a detailed discussion of the experiment with particular emphasis on the treatment and elimination of systematic errors. This experimental technique will allow future measurements of significantly higher precision.

The parity violation induced by weak neutral currents is measured in a ΔF =1 hyperfine component of the 6S–7S transition of the Cs atom. The measured value ( Im E PV 1 β ) = −1.78 ± 0.26 (statistical rms deviation) ±0.12 (systematic uncertainty) mV/cm, agrees with our previous measurement in a ΔF =0 component, and constitutes an important cross-check. Our result excludes a parity violation induced by a purely axial hadronic neutral current.