Parity Violation in the Compound Nucleus

The status of parity violation in the compound nucleus is reviewed. The results of previous experimental results obtained by scattering polarized epithermal neutrons from heavy nuclei in the 3-p and 4-p p-wave strength function peaks are presented. Experimental techniques are presented. The extraction of the mean squared matrix element of the parity-violating interaction, M^2, between compound-nuclear levels and the relationship of M^2 to the coupling strengths in the meson exchange weak nucleon-nucleon potential are discussed. The tendency of measured asymmetries to have a common sign and theoretical implications are discussed. New experimental results are presented that show that the common sign phenomenon is not universal, as theoretical models developed up to now would predict.This talk is dedicated to our friend and colleague Professor Ernest M. Henley, who has done so much to inspire the understanding and study of fundamental symmetries in the nucleus.