Probing Atomic Parity Violation by way of Forbidden Transitions in Optically Trapped Francium 

ORAL

Abstract

Tests of the weak interaction at low momentum scales studying Atomic Parity Violation (APV) explore the validity of the Standard Model of particle physics. The study of APV relies on measurements best performed in alkali atoms. Francium is the ideal element to use in these searches, due to its heavy mass, which gives it a enhancement 18 times that of cesium to its parity violating amplitude in the 7s to 8s transition. The Francium Trapping Facility at TRIUMF allows for the trapping and probing of Francium by utilizing two Magneto-Optical Traps (MOT)s. With this apparatus, effort is ongoing to measure the forbidden M1 7s-8s transition in Francium, to prepare for an APV measurement of the transition utilizing stark interference. Recent developments include the installation of a power buildup cavity to improve the intensity of the 506 nm light used to probe the APV 7s-8s transition. We present an update to the progress of measuring the M1 transition.

*Supported through funding by NSERC (Canada), University of Manitoba, University of Maryland, NRC (Canada), and TRIUMF.

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Presenters

  • Gordon Arrowsmith-Kron

    • TRIUMF

Authors

  • Gordon Arrowsmith-Kron

    • TRIUMF

  • John A Behr

    • TRIUMF

  • Louis Croquette

    • McGill University

  • Alexandre Gorelov

    • TRIUMF

  • Gerald Gwinner

    • University of Manitoba

  • Iris Halilovic

    • University of Manitoba

  • Alan O Jamison

    • University of Waterloo

  • Andrew Lagno

    • University of Waterloo

  • Stephan Malbrunot-Ettenauer

    • TRIUMF

  • Budu Ohene-Kofi

    • TRIUMF

  • Luis Adolfo Orozco

    • University of Maryland College Park

  • anima sharma

    • University of Manitoba