High-accuracy calculation of the 6s1/2→7s1/2parity-nonconserving transition in atomic cesium and implications for the standard model

Abstract

A many-body calculation of the parity-nonconserving amplitude for the 6${\mathit{s}}_{1/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7${\mathit{s}}_{1/2}$ transition in atomic cesium with an error of order 1% is presented, ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{PNC}}$=-0.906[9] (${\mathit{Q}}_{\mathit{W}}$/-N)i\ensuremath{\Vert}e\ensuremath{\Vert}${\mathit{a}}_{0}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}11}$. Using this result to determine ${\mathit{Q}}_{\mathit{W}}$ from high-precision measurements of the transition leads to a quantitative test of the standard model. The various sources contributing to this transition are discussed and their uncertainties estimated. A discussion of radiative corrections with emphasis on the role of the top-quark mass is given.