Metrology in a two-electron atom: The ionization energy of metastable triplet helium ($\mathbf{2\,^3S}_\mathbf{1}$)

TL;DR

This paper presents a highly precise measurement of helium's ionization energy in a metastable state, revealing significant discrepancies with advanced theoretical predictions and highlighting ongoing challenges in atomic physics accuracy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach combining interferometric laser control, SI-traceable calibration, and Doppler-free spectroscopy to measure helium's ionization energy with unprecedented precision.

Findings

Measured ionization energy deviates by 9σ from theoretical value.

Confirms earlier experimental-theoretical discrepancies in helium.

Demonstrates effectiveness of new spectroscopic techniques.

Abstract

Helium (He) is the ideal atom to perform tests of ab-initio calculations in two-electron systems that consider all known effects, including quantum-electrodynamics and nuclear-size contributions. Recent state-of-the-art calculations and measurements of energy intervals involving the He $2\;^3S_1$ metastable state reveal discrepancies at the level of $7\,\sigma$ that require clarification both from the experimental and theoretical sides. We report on a new determination, with unprecedented accuracy, of the ionization energy $E_\mathrm{I}\,(2\;^3S_1)$ of the $(1s)(2s)\;^3S_1$ metastable state of He. The measurements rely on a new approach combining interferometric laser-alignment control, SI-traceable frequency calibration and imaging-assisted Doppler-free spectroscopy. With this approach we record spectra of the $np$ Rydberg series in a highly-collimated cold supersonic beam of metastable He generated by a cryogenic valve and an electric discharge. Extrapolation of the Rydberg series yields a new value of the ionization energy ($E_\mathrm{I}\,(2\;^3S_1)/h= 1\,152\,842\,742.7082(55)_\mathrm{stat}(25)_\mathrm{sys}\,\mathrm{MHz}$) that deviates by $9\,\sigma$ from the most precise theoretical result ($1\,152\,842\,742.231(52)\;\mathrm{MHz}$), reported by Patk\'o\v{s}, Yerokhin and Pachucki [Phys. Rev. A. 103, 042809 (2021)], confirming earlier discrepancies between experiment and theory in this fundamental system.