High-precision mass measurement of $^{168}$Yb for verification of nonlinear isotope shift

TL;DR

This paper reports a highly precise measurement of the mass of $^{168}$Yb using Penning trap mass spectrometry, which is crucial for detecting potential new physics signatures in isotope shift experiments.

Contribution

The study provides the most precise mass value for $^{168}$Yb, improving accuracy by a factor of 12, aiding in the search for beyond standard model physics through isotope shift analysis.

Findings

Mass of $^{168}$Yb determined with high precision

Measured mass-excess deviates slightly from previous evaluations

Implications for isotope shift-based new physics searches

Abstract

The absolute mass value of $^{168}$Yb has been directly determined with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer at the Ion Guide Isotope Separator On-Line (IGISOL) facility. A more precise value of the mass of $^{168}$Yb is needed to extract possible signatures of beyond standard model physics from high-precision isotope shift measurements of Yb atomic transition frequencies. The measured mass-excess value, ME($^{168}$Yb) = $-$61579.846(94) keV, is 12 times more precise and deviates from the Atomic Mass Evaluation 2016 value by 1.7$\sigma$. The impact on precision isotope shift studies of the stable Yb isotopes is discussed.