An Upper Bound on the Strongly Forbidden $6S_{1/2}\leftrightarrow 5D_{3/2}$ Magnetic Dipole Transition Moment in {Ba}${}^{+}$

Abstract

We report the results from our first-generation experiment to measure the magnetic-dipole transition moment (M1) between the $6S_{1/2}$ and $5D_{3/2}$ manifolds in Ba${}^{+}$. Knowledge of M1 is crucial for the proposed parity-nonconservation experiment in the ion \cite{Fortson93}, where M1 will be a leading source of systematic error. To date, no measurement of M1 has been made in Ba${}^{+}$, and moreover, the sensitivity of the moment to electron-electron correlations has confounded accurate theoretical predictions. A precise measurement may help to resolve the theoretical discrepancies while providing essential information for planning a future PNC measurement in Ba${}^{+}$. We demonstrate our technique for measuring M1 - including a method for calibrating for stress-induced birefringence introduced by the scientific apparatus - and place an upper bound of $M1<93\pm 39\times 10^{-5}{\mu }_B$.

7 pages, 6 figures

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