CODATA recommended values of the fundamental physical constants: 2006

TLDR

The paper presents the 2006 CODATA recommended values of fundamental physical constants and conversion factors for international use. The values were derived through a least‑squares adjustment that incorporated all relevant data up to 31 December 2006, including the 2002 dataset and new measurements obtained between 2002 and 2006. The updated set reduces uncertainties for many constants, replaces the 2002 CODATA values, and is available online at physics.nist.gov/constants.

Abstract

This paper gives the 2006 self-consistent set of values of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry recommended by the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) for international use. Further, it describes in detail the adjustment of the values of the constants, including the selection of the final set of input data based on the results of least-squares analyses. The 2006 adjustment takes into account the data considered in the 2002 adjustment as well as the data that became available between 31 December 2002, the closing date of that adjustment, and 31 December 2006, the closing date of the new adjustment. The new data have led to a significant reduction in the uncertainties of many recommended values. The 2006 set replaces the previously recommended 2002 CODATA set and may also be found on the World Wide Web at physics.nist.gov/constants.