Measurement of the n =2 Lamb shift in He sup + by the anisotropy method

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physical Review, A; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.43.3325· OSTI ID:5847594

van Wijngaarden, A; Kwela, J; Drake, G W.F. ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4 (CA)

A high-precision measurement of the 2{ital s} {sup 2}{ital S}{sub 1/2}--2{ital p} {sup 2}{ital P}{sub 1/2} Lamb shift in He{sup +} by the quenching-anisotropy method is reported. The theory and experimental method are described in detail. The measured value of 14042.52{plus minus}0.16 MHz ({plus minus}11 parts per million) rivals the accuracy of Lamb-shift measurements in hydrogen by microwave resonance. By subtracting the known low-order terms in the Lamb shift, we interpret the results as a measurement of the order {alpha}({ital Z}{alpha}){sup 6}{ital mc2} and higher contributions to the electron self-energy {ital G}{sub SE}({ital Z}{alpha}). The various contributions to the Lamb shift are discussed, and a revised value for {ital G}{sub SE}({ital Z}{alpha}) at low {ital Z} is extracted from high-{ital Z} calculations. The theoretical value for the Lamb shift is 14042.51{plus minus}0.2 MHz, in excellent agreement with experiment. The results provide the most sensitive available determination of {ital G}{sub SE}({ital Z}{alpha}) for low {ital Z}. Measurements and calculations for hydrogen and other members of the isoelectronic sequence are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 5847594
• Journal Information: Physical Review, A; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, A; (USA) Vol. 43:7; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ACCURACY
ANISOTROPY
CHARGED PARTICLES
CORRELATIONS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
HELIUM IONS
IONS
LAMB SHIFT
LYMAN LINES
MEASURING METHODS
QUENCHING
SPECTRAL SHIFT