ISSN:
1432-0649
Keywords:
32.00
;
35.00
;
42.50
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The recoil of an atom due to the absorption of up to 64 photons is measured, using laser-cooled cesium atoms which are made to interfere in an atomic fountain. Measurement of the photon recoil allows a determination of ℏ/m Cs, and hence the fine-structure constant. The measurement is described and a detailed theoretical and experimental study of potential systematic errors is presented. A relative precision in the photon recoil measurement of 0.1 ppm is obtained in two hours of data collection. The measurement is currently 0.85 ppm below the accepted value of ℏ/m Cs. We cannot now formally ascribe a systematic error, but suspect that the bulk of the discrepancy is due to imperfections of the interferometer beams used to induce the Raman transitions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01081393
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