Testing the standard model by precision measurement of the weak charges of quarks

First determination of the weak charge of the proton

The Q(weak) experiment has measured the parity-violating asymmetry in ep elastic scattering at Q(2)=0.025(GeV/c)(2), employing 145 μA of 89% longitudinally polarized electrons on a 34.4 cm long liquid hydrogen target at Jefferson Lab. The results of the experiment's commissioning run, constituting approximately 4% of the data collected in the experiment, are reported here. From these initial results, the measured asymmetry is A(ep)=-279±35 (stat) ± 31 (syst) ppb, which is the smallest and most precise asymmetry ever measured in ep scattering. The small Q(2) of this experiment has made possible the first determination of the weak charge of the proton Q(W)(p) by incorporating earlier parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) data at higher Q(2) to constrain hadronic corrections. The value of Q(W)(p) obtained in this way is Q(W)(p)(PVES)=0.064±0.012, which is in good agreement with the standard model prediction of Q(W)(p)(SM)=0.0710±0.0007. When this result is further combined with the Cs atomic parity violation (APV) measurement, significant constraints on the weak charges of the up and down quarks can also be extracted. That PVES+APV analysis reveals the neutron's weak charge to be Q(W)(n)(PVES+APV)=-0.975±0.010.

Constraining quark angular momentum through semi-inclusive measurements

The determination of quark angular momentum requires the knowledge of the generalized parton distribution E in the forward limit. We assume a connection between this function and the Sivers transverse-momentum distribution, based on model calculations and theoretical considerations. Using this assumption, we show that it is possible to fit nucleon magnetic moments and semi-inclusive single-spin asymmetries at the same time. This imposes additional constraints on the Sivers function and opens a plausible way to quantifying quark angular momentum.

Precision constraints on extra fermion generations

There has been recent renewed interest in the possibility of additional fermion generations. At the same time there have been significant changes in the relevant electroweak precision constraints, in particular, in the interpretation of several of the low energy experiments. We summarize the various motivations for extra families and analyze them in view of the latest electroweak precision data.

Measuring the Fr weak nuclear charge by observing a linear stark shift with small atomic samples

We study the chirality of ground-state alkali atoms in E and B fields, dressed with a circularly-polarized beam near-detuned ( less, similar1 GHz) from an E-field-assisted forbidden transition such as 7S-8S in Fr. We predict parity violating energy shifts of their sublevels, linear in E and the weak nuclear charge Q_(W). A dressing beam of 10 kW/cm(2) at 506 nm produces a shift of approximately 100 microHz at E=100 V/cm, B greater, similar50 mG which should be observable with approximately 10(4) Fr atoms confined in an optical dipole trap. We discuss optimal conditions, parameter reversals, and a calibration procedure to measure Q_(W)