MBPT and Coupled Cluster Approaches to Parity Nonconservation in Atoms: A Survey of Recent Developments

Abstract

Experiment and theory have recently advanced to the point where table-top, laser experiments on atoms can make quantitative statements about weak interaction coupling constants, complementing information otherwise obtained only from high-energy accelerator-based experiments. The atomic experiments measure parity nonconservation (PNC) in heavy atoms. A complex many-body calculation is required to relate the measurements to the underlying fundamental interactions. In this article, I discuss the recent improvements in atomic theory which have enabled atomic PNC to yield information with accuracy comparable to that obtained in high-energy experiments.