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.
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.
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.