Separated oscillatory-field microwave measurement of the 2P31-2P32 fine-structure interval of atomic helium
Abstract
The 2P31-2P32 interval in helium is measured using microwave separated oscillatory fields. Our measured result is 2291177.53±0.35kHz . A disagreement with theory of over 15 kHz indicates a major problem with two-electron QED calculations. If this disagreement is resolved, measurements of both 2P3 fine-structure intervals at this accuracy would lead to a six-parts-per-billion determination of the fine-structure constant.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- June 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevA.79.060503
- Bibcode:
- 2009PhRvA..79f0503B
- Keywords:
-
- 32.30.Bv;
- 06.20.Jr;
- Radio-frequency microwave and infrared spectra;
- Determination of fundamental constants