Parity Nonconservation in Atoms

Abstract

Atomic physics has played an important role in the advance of fundamental physics. The analysis of the spectral lines of hydrogen gave some of the important clues necessary for the development of quantum theory. Likewise the observation of the Lamb shift led to the modern theory of quantum electrodynamics. Although today most of the discoveries in fundamental physics come from high-energy accelerators, the field of atomic physics still has many contributions to make. A good example is the subject of this review, the atomic parity violation experiments.* These experiments have provided a direct test of the Weinberg-Salam-Glashow standard model of weak interactions, and should continue to test aspects of weak interaction theory. These experiments also possess an intrinsic interest within the domain of atomic physics, because they offer a striking example of the breakdown of left-right symmetry---a phenomenon not seen before in atoms.