Parity nonconservation in atoms and elastic electron scattering caused by nuclear parity violation

Abstract

We demonstrate, on the basis of gauge invariance, hermiticity, and time-reversal invariance, that there can be no long range transmission of nuclear parity violation to electrons in an atom or in elastic electron scattering. It follows that the ratio of the nuclear induced parity violation in atoms or in elastic electron scattering to that due to weak neutral currents (Z-boson exchange) remains of the order of the fine structure constant, even in the limit of zero momentum transfer.