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 $6S\to 7S$ transition rate by use of crossed atomic and laser beams in a region of perpendicular electric and magnetic fields. Our results are $\frac{\mathrm{Im}{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{PNC}}}{\beta }=-1.65\mathrm{}\pm 0.13$ mV/cm and $C_{2p}=-2\mathrm{}\pm 2$. 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.