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A direct test of E=mc2

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Rainville

    (Research Laboratory of Electronics, MIT–Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Université Laval)

  • James K. Thompson

    (Research Laboratory of Electronics, MIT–Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Edmund G. Myers

    (Florida State University)

  • John M. Brown

    (The Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory)

  • Maynard S. Dewey

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Ernest G. Kessler

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Richard D. Deslattes

    (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

  • Hans G. Börner

    (Institut Laue-Langevin)

  • Michael Jentschel

    (Institut Laue-Langevin)

  • Paolo Mutti

    (Institut Laue-Langevin)

  • David E. Pritchard

    (Research Laboratory of Electronics, MIT–Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

All right now The theory of special relativity is central to modern physics, so if Einstein's iconic E = mc2 were found to be even slightly incorrect, the World Year of Physics would have ended on a sour note. No need to worry, however. A new direct test of the equation confirms its validity with 55 times more accuracy than the best previous effort. The new test combined very accurate measurements of atomic-mass difference and of γ-ray wavelengths to determine the nuclear binding energy for isotopes of silicon and sulphur. The equation holds to a level of at least 0.00004%.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Rainville & James K. Thompson & Edmund G. Myers & John M. Brown & Maynard S. Dewey & Ernest G. Kessler & Richard D. Deslattes & Hans G. Börner & Michael Jentschel & Paolo Mutti & David E. Pritch, 2005. "A direct test of E=mc2," Nature, Nature, vol. 438(7071), pages 1096-1097, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:438:y:2005:i:7071:d:10.1038_4381096a
    DOI: 10.1038/4381096a
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