RUI: Precise Atomic Structure Measurements and Tests of Fundamental Physics

该项目包括一系列使用激光和原子的相对小规模实验，这些实验将解决有关电弱相互作用以及其他可能违反对称相互作用的基本物理问题。近年来，原子宇称不守恒（PNC）实验在一些元素上取得了很高的精度。然而，在新的实验结果可以导致基本见解之前，必须了解相关原子的复杂原子结构的影响。在铊中，目前正在进行的新的原子结构计算有可能使这种元素成为测试电弱物理的特别重要的系统。最近完成的跃迁振幅和超精细分裂测量，以及斯塔克位移和斯塔克诱导振幅测量，目前正在我们的实验室进行，为这种元素提供了一些首批高精度原子结构测试。将在其他对电弱试验具有潜在重要性的原子系统（如铅）中使用非常类似的技术进行实验。这些实验利用二极管激光系统和加热蒸汽池中的铊样品以及原子束装置。这些实验将为物理学专业的本科生提供理想的研究训练，他们中的大多数人将进入物理科学研究生院。

This project consists of a series of relatively small-scale experiments using lasers and atoms which will address fundamental questions about physics of the electroweak interaction as well as other possible symmetry-violating interactions. Recent atomic parity nonconservation (PNC) experiments in several elements have attained very high precision. However, before new experimental results can lead to fundamental insights, the effects of the complex atomic structure of the relevant atoms must be understood. In thallium, new atomic structure calculations presently underway have the potential to make this element a particularly important system for testing electroweak physics. Recently completed transition amplitude, and hyperfine splitting measurements, as well as Stark shift and Stark-induced amplitude measurements now underway in our laboratory provide some of the first high-precision atomic structure tests in this element. Experiments using very similar techniques will be undertaken in other atomic systems of potential importance to electroweak tests such as lead. These experiments make use of diode laser systems and thallium samples in heated vapor cells as well as an atomic beam apparatus. The experiments will serve as ideal research training for undergraduate physics majors, the large majority of whom attend graduate school in the physical sciences.