High-precision absolute measurements of transition strengths in neutral cesium
Abstract
Investigations intended to improve the ability to interpret atomic parity nonconservation (PNC) experiments in atomic cesium are described. Recent measurements of the PNC electric dipole amplitude for the 6s 2S1/2-7s 2S1/2 transition have reduced experimental uncertainties to the 0.35% level, but the ability to interpret these results in the framework of the standard model of electroweak interactions is limited by uncertainties in knowledge of the atomic structure. The current experiments employ diverse and complementary techniques to accurately measure the 6s 2S1/2-6p 2P J electric dipole transition strengths and their ratio, and provide a method for the precise calibration of the number of density of atoms in a cesium vapor cell necessary for future direct measurements of the 6s 2S1/2-7s 2S1/2 Stark-induced transition polarizabilities. Descriptions of the design and results of three interrelated experiments are provided: fast atomic-beam laser lifetime measurements, vapor cell absorption density calibration techniques, and vapor cell absorption cross section measurements.
- Publication:
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Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 1997
- Bibcode:
- 1997PhDT........52R
- Keywords:
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- Physics: Atomic