Ultrahigh-Precision Measurement of the n=2 Triplet P Fine Structure of Atomic Helium Using Frequency-Offset Separated Oscillatory Fields.

Abstract

For decades, improved theory and experiment of the n=2 ^{3}P fine structure of helium have allowed for increasingly precise tests of quantum electrodynamics, determinations of the fine-structure constant α, and limitations on possible beyond-the-standard-model physics. Here we use the new frequency-offset separated-oscillatory-fields technique to measure the 2^{3}P_{2}→2^{3}P_{1} interval. Our result of 2 291 176 590(25)Hz represents a major step forward in precision for helium fine-structure measurements.