Calculations of P- and CP-violating matrix elements for heavy atoms

Abstract

Many-body perturbation theory is applied to study P-violating and CP-violating matrix elements in the heavy one-valence-electron atoms rubidium, cesium, gold, and thallium. Results of calculations carried out to lowest and to first order starting from various potentials including the Dirac-Fock potential are given for each of the atoms considered. Energies of low-lying atomic states, atomic hyperfine constants, and amplitudes for allowed transitions are also calculated to aid in gauging the reliability of the predicted weak interaction matrix elements. A technique for treating the double sums occurring in relativistic second-order perturbation calculations is described. This technique, which is being used to extend the present calculations to second order, is illustrated in several examples.