Fundamental physics with optically trapped atoms
We discuss two experiments which appear feasible because of the progress in laser trapping and cooling of neutral atoms. First, using laser trapping, it should be possible trap a number of radioactive isotopes of cesium and francium. Precise measurements of parity nonconservation could be carried out in these samples. The comparison of the these measurements would be a very sensitive probe for physics beyond the Standard model. In the second experiment we are attempting to achieve Bose-Einstein condensation in a dilute cesium vapor. This involves optically trapping and cooling atoms, and then transporting them into a new type of magnetic trap. This trap avoids the spin-flip-changing collisions which have limited earlier attempts to reach Bose condensation.
