Measurement of parity non-conserving optical rotation in the 648 nm transition in atomic bismuth

Abstract

Parity non-conserving (PNC) optical rotation has been measured by laser polarimetry in the 648 nm magnetic dipole transition (6p3 J=3/2 to 6p3 J'=5/2) in atomic bismuth. The experiment involves finding the small differences in rotation between selected frequency points in the vicinity of the F=6 to F'=7 hyperfine component. Faraday rotation, which can be distinguished from PNC rotation by its wavelength dependence, is used in locking the laser frequency and calibrating the PNC effect. Results obtained over a six-year period are summarised; a detailed discussion of error sources and associated tests is given. The final result for the PNC parameter of the 648 nm transition is R=(-9.3+or-1.4)*10-8. This is an agreement with the measurements of Birich et al (1984) but not with those of Barkov and Zolotorev (1980). It is also consistent with the standard model of the electroweak interaction, but the uncertainty in the atomic theory is now the limiting factor in the comparison.