Value of the Rydberg Constant

Abstract
The spectroscopic measurements of Houston and of Chu pertinent to the Rydberg constant have been adjusted to a new wavelength value (5015.6779±0.0003 A in air) for the helium line used as a standard by them. This new wavelength, based primarily on recent measurements by the author and by Series and Field, replaces the value 5015.675 A accepted by Houston and Chu. The adjustment brings their data into good agreement with spectroscopic observations relative to the cadmium primary standard made by Drinkwater, Richardson, and Williams. Cohen's conclusion in 1952 that the disagreement of Houston's and Chu's results with those of Drinkwater, Richardson, and Williams was due to a discrepancy in the two standards is thus verified.

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