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arXiv · 1304.6390

The Fundamental Vibration of Molecular Hydrogen

Gareth. D. Dickenson·Ming Li Niu·Edcel J. Salumbides·Jacek Komasa·Kjeld S. E. Eikema·Krzysztof Pachucki·Wim Ubachs
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Abstract

The fundamental ground tone vibration of H2, HD, and D2 is determined to an accuracy of 2 x 10^-4 cm^-1 from Doppler-free laser spectroscopy in the collisionless environment of a molecular beam. This rotationless vibrational splitting is derived from the combination difference between electronic excitation from the X^1Sg+, v=0 and v=1 levels to a common EF^1g+, v=0 level. Agreement within $1\sigma$ between the experimental result and a full ab initio calculation provides a stringent test of quantum electrodynamics in a chemically-bound system.

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Gareth. D. Dickenson, Ming Li Niu, Edcel J. Salumbides, Jacek Komasa, Kjeld S. E. Eikema, Krzysztof Pachucki, Wim Ubachs. 2013-04-23. The Fundamental Vibration of Molecular Hydrogen. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.110.193601

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