CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 2006

TL;DR

This paper presents the 2006 CODATA recommended values for fundamental physical constants, detailing the adjustment process and highlighting reduced uncertainties due to new data since 2002.

Contribution

It provides an updated, self-consistent set of fundamental constants based on recent data and a comprehensive least-squares analysis, replacing the 2002 set.

Findings

Significant reduction in uncertainties of many constants

Updated constants based on data from 2003-2006

Enhanced accuracy for scientific and technical applications

Abstract

This paper gives the 2006 self-consistent set of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry recommended by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) for international use. Further, it describes in detail the adjustment of the values of the constants, including the selection of the final set of input data based on the results of least-squares analyses. The 2006 adjustment takes into account the data considered in the 2002 adjustment as well as the data that became available between 31 December 2002, the closing date of that adjustment, and 31 December 2006, the closing date of the new adjustment. The new data have led to a significant reduction in the uncertainties of many recommended values. The 2006 set replaces the previously recommended 2002 CODATA set and also may be found on the World Wide Web at physics.nist.gov/constants.