Parity-nonconservation (PNC) amplitudes are calculated for the 7$s$-6$d_{3/2}$ transitions of the francium isoelectronic sequence (Fr, Ra${}^{+}$, Ac${}^{2+}$, Th${}^{3+}$, Pa${}^{4+}$, U${}^{5+}$, and Np${}^{6+}$) and for the 6$s$-5$d_{3/2}$ transitions of the cesium isoelectronic sequence (Cs, Ba${}^{+}$, La${}^{2+}$, Ce${}^{3+}$, and Pr${}^{4+}$). We show in particular that isotopes of La${}^{2+}$, Ac${}^{2+}$, and Th${}^{3+}$ ions have strong potential in the search for new physics beyond the standard model: The PNC amplitudes are large, the calculations are accurate, and the nuclei are practically stable. In addition, ${}^{232}$Th${}^{3+}$ ions have recently been trapped and cooled [Campbell et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 233004 (2009)]. We also extend previous works by calculating the $s$-$s$ PNC transitions in Ra${}^{+}$ and Ba${}^{+}$ and provide calculations of several energy levels, and electric dipole and quadrupole transition amplitudes for the Fr-like actinide ions.

• Received 29 April 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.88.012510