Direct determination of the mass of28Si as a contribution to a new definition of the kilogram

1993

The mass of 28Si has been determined to be m(28Si) = 27.976 926 57(30) u by comparing the cyclotron frequencies of the singly charged ions 12C+, 12C+3 and 28Si+ in a Penning trap mass spectrometer. The experimental technique and the setup are described. The obtained accuracy as well as possible improvements are discussed. Our measurements are related to current efforts to base the kilogram on atomic properties by using an almost perfect single crystal of silicon.