Observation of the continuous stern-gerlach effect on an electron bound in an atomic Ion
We report on the first observation of the continuous Stern-Gerlach effect on an electron bound in an atomic ion. The measurement was performed on a single hydrogenlike ion ( 12C5+) in a Penning trap. The measured g factor of the bound electron, g = 2.001 042(2), is in excellent agreement with the theoretical value, confirming the relativistic correction at a level of 0.1%. This proves the possibility of g-factor determinations on atomic ions to high precision by using the continuous Stern-Gerlach effect. The result demonstrates the feasibility of conducting experiments on single heavy highly charged ions to test quantum electrodynamics in the strong electric field of the nucleus.
Hermanspahn
N
Institut fur Physik, Universitat Mainz, D-55099 Mainz, Germany.
Haffner
H
Kluge
H
Quint
W
Stahl
S
Verdu
J
Werth
G