Parity Nonconservation in the6s21S0→6s5dD31Transition in Atomic Ytterbium

The ${6s}^2{}_{}{}^1{}_{}{}^{}S_0^{}{}_{}{}^{}\to 6s5d{}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}D_1^{}{}_{}{}^{}$ transition in atomic Yb is proposed for use in the study of atomic parity nonconservation (PNC). This transition is shown to have a very large $E1\mathrm{}$ amplitude arising from PNC: $|\mathrm{Im}\left({E1\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{PNC}}\right)|\cong 1.1\times {10}^{-9\mathrm{}}{\mathrm{ea}}_0$, and also a strongly suppressed $M1\mathrm{}$ amplitude and a moderate Stark-induced amplitude. Extremely high-precision measurements of PNC in Yb appear possible, using experimental techniques of proven utility. Comparison of PNC in the wide range of stable isotopes of Yb may provide a unique test of the standard model of electroweak interactions.