Analysis of parity nonconservation in the Ra+-ion

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the radium ion transition suitable for measuring parity nonconservation, employing advanced relativistic coupled-cluster calculations to assess its potential for precise electroweak tests.

Contribution

It provides the first ab initio calculation of the parity nonconserving amplitude for the Ra+ ion transition, informing future experimental efforts.

Findings

Relativistic coupled-cluster theory effectively predicts PNC amplitudes.

The transition shows promise for sub-1% precision electroweak tests.

The analysis supports planned experiments at the University of Groningen.

Abstract

We report on a theoretical analysis of the suitability of the 7s 2S1/2 <-> 6d 2D3/2 transition in singly ionized radium to measure parity nonconservation, in the light of an experiment planned at the KVI of the University of Groningen. Relativistic coupled-cluster theory has been employed to perform an ab initio calculation of the parity nonconserving electric dipole amplitude of this transition, including single, double, and leading triple excitations. We discuss the prospects for a sub-1% precision test of the electroweak theory of particle physics.