Theoretical progress in the H2+ molecular ion: towards electron to proton mass ratio determinationThis paper was presented at the International Conference on Precision Physics of Simple Atomic Systems, held at École de Physique, les Houches, France, 30 May – 4 June, 2010.

Abstract

High resolution ro-vibrational spectroscopy of H 2+ or HD+ can lead to a significantly improved determination of the electron to proton mass ratio me/mp if the theoretical determination of transition frequencies becomes sufficiently accurate. We report on recent theoretical progress in the description of the hyperfine structure of H 2+ , as well as first steps in the evaluation of radiative corrections at order mα7. Completion of the latter calculation should allow us to reach the projected 10−10 accuracy level and open the road to mass ratio determination.