Determination of a set of fundamental constants from molecular hydrogen ion spectroscopy: A modeling study
Phys. Rev. A 112, 022809 – Published 11 August, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/jz54-7f7b
Abstract
The rovibrational transition frequencies of molecular hydrogen ions can be accurately computed using ab initio nonrelativistic quantum electrodynamics. A subset of the fundamental constants is required input. We analyze how, once upcoming ultra-high-accuracy spectroscopy data have been obtained, that subset of constants can be determined with greater accuracy. Our analysis shows that under realistic assumptions the uncertainties of the mass ratios of the proton, deuteron, and triton, relative to the electron, and of the triton charge radius can be reduced more than 100-fold compared to today (CODATA 2022). Furthermore, the Rydberg constant, as well as the proton and deuteron charge radii, can be determined with uncertainties similar to those of today, but solely using data from electronic systems. The implications are discussed.