High-Precision Atomic Mass Measurements for Fundamental Constants

Abstract

Atomic mass measurements are essential for obtaining several of the fundamental constants. The most precise atomic mass measurements, at the 10−10 level of precision or better, employ measurements of cyclotron frequencies of single ions in Penning traps. We discuss the relation of atomic masses to fundamental constants in the context of the revised SI. We then review experimental methods, and the current status of measurements of the masses of the electron, proton, neutron, deuteron, tritium, helium-3, helium-4, oxygen-16, silicon-28, rubidium-87, and cesium-133. We conclude with directions for future work.