Rotational Energy as Mass in H^sub 3^^sup +^ and Lower Limits on the Atomic Masses of D and ^sup 3^He

Rotational Energy as Mass in H^sub 3^^sup +^ and Lower Limits on the Atomic Masses of D and ^sup 3^He

We have made precise measurements of the cyclotron frequency ratios H3+/HD+ and H3+/3He+ and observe that different H3+ ions result in different cyclotron frequency ratios. We interpret these differences as due to the molecular rotational energy of H3+ changing its inertial mass. We also confirm tha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters Vol. 120; no. 14; p. 143002
Main Authors: Smith, J A, Hamzeloui, S, Fink, D J, Myers, E G
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: College Park American Physical Society 06-04-2018
Subjects:
Atomic properties
Cyclotron frequency
Cyclotrons
Deuterium
Helium
Helium isotopes
Ions
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Summary:We have made precise measurements of the cyclotron frequency ratios H3+/HD+ and H3+/3He+ and observe that different H3+ ions result in different cyclotron frequency ratios. We interpret these differences as due to the molecular rotational energy of H3+ changing its inertial mass. We also confirm that certain high J, K rotational levels of H3+ have mean lifetimes exceeding several weeks. From measurements with the lightest H3+ ion we obtain lower limits on the atomic masses of deuterium and helium-3 with respect to the proton.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114