Search for parity non-conserving optical rotation in atomic bismuth

Abstract

THE Weinberg–Salam^1,2 theory of the electromagnetic and weak interactions has been successful in predicting the neutral current interactions observed in neutrino experiments. An important further test for thetheory is the experimental observation of predicted³ parity non-conservation in atoms. We are carrying out two related though distinct experiments to search for parity non-conserving optical rotation in atomic bismuth close to the allowed M₁ transitions from the ground state, λ = 648 nm (at Oxford) and λ = 876 nm (at Washington). Although our experiments are continuing we feel that there is sufficient interest to justify an interim report.