Rydberg constant and fundamental atomic physics

A detailed report on the current status of measurements of the Rydberg constant is given. Our recently reported value of R/sub infinity/ = 109 737.315 73(3) cm/sup -1/ has been confirmed by three other laboratories within experimental error. An additional check on the iodine cell, the heart of our wavelength and frequency reference, confirms a negligible pressure shift. The possible role of the Rydberg constant in fundamental atomic physics lies in tests of quantum electrodynamics and in improvement of the realization of the meter. We propose that the hydrogen spectrum be used to realize the meter in the optical domain, as an alternative to the current frequency chains. For the realization to be useful, improvement of the current precision of the Rydberg constant by a factor of 2 or more is required.