Metrology in a two-electron atom: The ionization energy of metastable triplet helium ($\mathbf{2\,^3S}_\mathbf{1}$)
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arXiv
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| Autori principali: | , , , , |
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| Natura: | Preprint |
| Pubblicazione: |
2025
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| _version_ | 1866929660620701696 |
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| author | Clausen, Gloria Gamlin, Kai Agner, Josef A. Schmutz, Hansjürg Merkt, Frédéric |
| author_facet | Clausen, Gloria Gamlin, Kai Agner, Josef A. Schmutz, Hansjürg Merkt, Frédéric |
| contents | Helium (He) is the ideal atom to perform tests of ab-initio calculations in two-electron systems that consider all known effects, including quantum-electrodynamics and nuclear-size contributions. Recent state-of-the-art calculations and measurements of energy intervals involving the He $2\;^3S_1$ metastable state reveal discrepancies at the level of $7\,σ$ that require clarification both from the experimental and theoretical sides. We report on a new determination, with unprecedented accuracy, of the ionization energy $E_\mathrm{I}\,(2\;^3S_1)$ of the $(1s)(2s)\;^3S_1$ metastable state of He. The measurements rely on a new approach combining interferometric laser-alignment control, SI-traceable frequency calibration and imaging-assisted Doppler-free spectroscopy. With this approach we record spectra of the $np$ Rydberg series in a highly-collimated cold supersonic beam of metastable He generated by a cryogenic valve and an electric discharge. Extrapolation of the Rydberg series yields a new value of the ionization energy ($E_\mathrm{I}\,(2\;^3S_1)/h= 1\,152\,842\,742.7082(55)_\mathrm{stat}(25)_\mathrm{sys}\,\mathrm{MHz}$) that deviates by $9\,σ$ from the most precise theoretical result ($1\,152\,842\,742.231(52)\;\mathrm{MHz}$), reported by Patkóš, Yerokhin and Pachucki [Phys. Rev. A. 103, 042809 (2021)], confirming earlier discrepancies between experiment and theory in this fundamental system. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2501_02983 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Metrology in a two-electron atom: The ionization energy of metastable triplet helium ($\mathbf{2\,^3S}_\mathbf{1}$) Clausen, Gloria Gamlin, Kai Agner, Josef A. Schmutz, Hansjürg Merkt, Frédéric Atomic Physics Helium (He) is the ideal atom to perform tests of ab-initio calculations in two-electron systems that consider all known effects, including quantum-electrodynamics and nuclear-size contributions. Recent state-of-the-art calculations and measurements of energy intervals involving the He $2\;^3S_1$ metastable state reveal discrepancies at the level of $7\,σ$ that require clarification both from the experimental and theoretical sides. We report on a new determination, with unprecedented accuracy, of the ionization energy $E_\mathrm{I}\,(2\;^3S_1)$ of the $(1s)(2s)\;^3S_1$ metastable state of He. The measurements rely on a new approach combining interferometric laser-alignment control, SI-traceable frequency calibration and imaging-assisted Doppler-free spectroscopy. With this approach we record spectra of the $np$ Rydberg series in a highly-collimated cold supersonic beam of metastable He generated by a cryogenic valve and an electric discharge. Extrapolation of the Rydberg series yields a new value of the ionization energy ($E_\mathrm{I}\,(2\;^3S_1)/h= 1\,152\,842\,742.7082(55)_\mathrm{stat}(25)_\mathrm{sys}\,\mathrm{MHz}$) that deviates by $9\,σ$ from the most precise theoretical result ($1\,152\,842\,742.231(52)\;\mathrm{MHz}$), reported by Patkóš, Yerokhin and Pachucki [Phys. Rev. A. 103, 042809 (2021)], confirming earlier discrepancies between experiment and theory in this fundamental system. |
| title | Metrology in a two-electron atom: The ionization energy of metastable triplet helium ($\mathbf{2\,^3S}_\mathbf{1}$) |
| topic | Atomic Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.02983 |