Atomic calculations for tests of fundamental physics1This review is part of a Special Issue on the 10th International Colloquium on Atomic Spectra and Oscillator Strengths for Astrophysical and Laboratory Plasmas.

Abstract

An overview of applications of atomic calculations for atomic physics tests of fundamental physics is presented. The current status of atomic parity violation studies is discussed in detail. The progress on the development of a novel method for precision calculation of properties of atomic systems with a few valence electrons is reported. This method combines the all-order approach currently used for monovalent atoms with the configuration interaction approach that is applicable for many-electron systems. Development of this method is aimed at significant improvement in the theoretical accuracy of the parity nonconserving amplitude calculations in systems with more than one valence electron. Tests of fundamental symmetries and other applications not only require precise calculations of the atomic properties but also evaluation of the accuracy of the results. Possible approaches to evaluating the uncertainties of the theoretical values and an example of such an evaluation are considered.