Precision measurement of weak transitions from excited states in helium by counting ultracold atoms

J. A. Ross, K. F. Thomas, B. M. Henson, S. S. Hodgman, A. Truscott, K. G.H. Baldwin

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    The advancing precision of modern atomic spectroscopy is beginning to afford optical tests of fundamental physics in helium through, for instance, nuclear charge radii determinations. Helium therefore provides a testbed as appealing as Hydrogen for spectroscopic tests of QED. Among outstanding discrepancies between predicted and observed Helium transition lines are the 7.5σ difference in the n = 3 singlet-Triplet splitting and the 93σ difference between Martin's measurements of the 23P2 → 53S1 and 23P2 → 53D transitions values, and recent predictions by Drake [3]. We contribute to both of these by measuring five transitions from the 23P2 state, improving on Martin's measurements with an order of magnitude greater precision, and making the first observation of the spin-forbidden 23P2 → 51D2 transition in Helium. Our measurements constrain the 53D and 51D ionization energies of 4He[4] to 150 parts per billion, and the 53S to 28 parts per billion.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAOS Australian Conference on Optical Fibre Technology, ACOFT 2019 and Australian Conference on Optics, Lasers, and Spectroscopy, ACOLS 2019
    EditorsArnan Mitchell, Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop
    PublisherSPIE
    ISBN (Electronic)9781510631403
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019
    EventAOS Australian Conference on Optical Fibre Technology, ACOFT 2019 and Australian Conference on Optics, Lasers, and Spectroscopy, ACOLS 2019 - Melbourne, Australia
    Duration: 9 Dec 201912 Dec 2019

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
    Volume11200
    ISSN (Print)0277-786X
    ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

    Conference

    ConferenceAOS Australian Conference on Optical Fibre Technology, ACOFT 2019 and Australian Conference on Optics, Lasers, and Spectroscopy, ACOLS 2019
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    CityMelbourne
    Period9/12/1912/12/19

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