Atomic parity violation in one single trapped and laser cooled radium ion: a probe of electroweak running

One single-trapped and laser cooled radium ion is an ideal candidate to investigate atomic parity non-conservation (APNC). APNC can serve as a low energy test of the Standard Model of particle physics. We aim for a precision measurement of the electroweak mixing angle, by probing the differential light shift of the 7S and 6D Zeeman sublevels. This shift is caused by the interaction of the ion with an off-resonant laser light field. With precision RF spectroscopy and subsequent electron shelving, the differential splitting can be determined to sub-Hertz accuracy. Recent calculations show that Ra+ is a superior candidate for probing APNC. With an almost identical set-up and using the electron shelving technique, ultra-narrow transitions in this ion can be exploited for an all optical, high stability frequency standard clock. We have succeeded in the production and subsequent slowing down of radium isotopes around 213Ra. Further progress has been made in the development of ion traps and the necessary high precision optical laboratory. Laser spectroscopy of Ra+ and the first ever trapping of this particle are being prepared.