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Has this been accurately measured yet? Google searches yield results for H 1s-2s and H 1s-3s transitions but not 1s-4s.
1s-ns are going to be two photon transitions. There might not be much reason to do the1s-4s measurement directly, though, because you can do separate experiments to measure say 1s-2p (one photon) and measure 2p-4s (one photon). The precise measurement of the 2s-2p energy difference (Lamb shift) is something you can read about. QED is needed to explain the shift.neilparker62 said:Thanks all the same for the NIST references - they certainly provide very thorough coverage of the various transition wavelengths in the Hydrogen spectrum.
From what I can understand, the Ritz wavelengths seem to be 'quasi calculated' so not really experimental. I think science become a bit hazy when we can't really distinguish between theoretical and measured data - the whole idea is to put up theories which are ultimately judged by the degree to which they concur with actual measurement. To date the only really accurate measured values I can find are those for the H 1s-2s and H 1s-3s transition frequencies. For interest here are references for these measurements:
Improved Measurement of the Hydrogen 1S–2S Transition Frequency
Optical frequency measurement of the 1S-3S two-photon transition in hydrogen
The hydrogen 1s 4s transition frequency is an important value in understanding the energy levels of the hydrogen atom. It can provide insights into the structure and behavior of atoms, as well as aiding in the development of new technologies such as atomic clocks and precision measurements.
The measurement of the hydrogen 1s 4s transition frequency involves using a spectroscopic technique known as laser-induced fluorescence. This involves exciting the hydrogen atoms with a laser, causing them to emit light at specific frequencies that can be measured and analyzed.
The current accuracy of the measurement of the hydrogen 1s 4s transition frequency is about 12 parts per trillion, making it one of the most precise measurements in physics. However, ongoing research and advancements in technology are constantly improving the accuracy of this measurement.
Yes, there are many applications for this measurement. It is used in research related to quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, and cosmology. It also has practical applications in developing new technologies such as precision clocks and atomic sensors.
Yes, the measurement of the hydrogen 1s 4s transition frequency has been used to test theories such as quantum electrodynamics and to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. It is also being used in ongoing research to further our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.