A direct determination of the proton-electron mass ratio

The cyclotron resonance of protons and electrons in a magnetic field of 5.7 Tesla produced by a superconducting solenoid has been measured. Protons and electrons were alternately confined in an electrostatic quadrupole trap. The quotient of the cyclotron frequencies provides a first direct determination of the proton-electron mass ratio. The result ofM p /M e =1836.1502(53) agrees with other more precise but indirect determinations of this quantity.