Determination of the Rydberg Constant from the HE11 n = 3–4 (4686Å) Line Complex

Abstract

The review of the fundamental physical constants by Taylor, Parker, and Langenberg (1) emphasized the need for a more accurate value for the Rydberg constant. At the International Conference on Precision Measurement and Fundamental Constants, Series (2) recommended that the most advanced spectroscopic techniques be used to measure the wavelengths of spectroscopically resolved fine structure components of hydrogen (and its isotopes) and ionized helium in order to redetermine the Rydberg. With the encouragement of the above individuals and Drs. William C. Martin and Frederick L. Roesler, a redetermination of the Rydberg is being pursued at NBS based on absolute wavelengths of the best resolved fine structure components of the n = 3–4 (4686A) transition in He 11. A preliminary discussion of this experiment was presented at the International Conference on Precision Measurement and Fundamental Constants (3). This paper is a progress report on that experiment.