• Accepted Paper

Precision positronium spectroscopy as a test of the helium ionization energy anomaly

J. Pérez-Ríos and D. B. Cassidy

Phys. Rev. Lett. - Accepted 13 November, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/hwwq-vj83

Abstract

Precise measurements of the metastable helium (1s)(2s)3S1 ionization energy have revealed a 9σ discrepancy with QED theory that persists in isotopic measurements, suggesting a leptophilic bosonic interaction as a possible explanation. A subsequent investigation has concluded that only a scalar boson interaction would be consistent with the He observations. . Across the viable mediator-mass range of 0-800 eV, the He anomaly interpreted in this way implies a positronium 13S1→23S1 shift ranging from (0.250)–(0.850) MHz, and a 23S1 ionization shift of (0.140)–(0.210)~MHz. We discuss the feasibility of observing these shifts experimentally.

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