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The Zeeman Effect

The magnetic splitting of spectral lines. A scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer is used to measure the Zeeman effect in mercury and neon. The results are compared with the expectations derived from the vector model for the addition of atomic and nuclear angular momenta. A value of the ratio e/m of the electron is derived from the data.

Lab Guide (PDF)

A scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer.

A scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. (Image courtesy of Junior Lab staff.)

References

Zeeman, Pieter. Nobel Prize Lecture. Sotckholm, Sweden, 1902.

———. "On the Influence of Magnetism on the Nature of the Light Emitted by a Substance." Philosophical Magazine 43, Series 5 (1923).

White, Harvey E. "Zeeman Effect and the Paschen-Back Effect," and "The Zeeman Effect and Magnetic Quantum Numbers." Chapter X and XV in Introduction to Atomic Spectra. New York, NY; London, UK: McGraw-Hill Co., 1934, pp. 149-223 and pp. 286-290.

Herzberg, Gerhard. "Interpretation of Quantum Numbers." In Atomic Spectra and Atomic Structure. New York, NY: Dover, 1944, pp. 82-113.

Rossi, Bruno B. "Fabry-Perot Interferometer Optics." In Optics. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., 1957, pp. 140-145.

Condon, Edward, and G. Shortley. "One-electron Spectra." Chapter 5 in The Theory of Atomic Spectra. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1959, pp. 149-157.

———. "The Zeeman Effect." Chapter 16 in The Theory of Atomic Spectra. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1959, pp. 378-396.

Melissinos, Adrian. "High Resolution Spectroscopy." Chapter 7 in Experiments in Modern Physics. New York, NY: Academic Press, 1966, pp. 280-339.

Buy at Amazon Richtmyer, Floyd K., E. H. Kennard, and John N. Cooper. "Atomic Spectra." Chapter 17 in Introduction to Modern Physics. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1969, pp. 431-487. ISBN: 9780070525061.

Buy at Amazon Semat, Henry, and John Albright. "Optical Spectra and Electronic Structure." Chapter 9 in Introduction to Atomic and Nuclear Physics. 5th ed. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972. ISBN: 9780030854026.

Buy at Amazon Cagnac, Bernard, and J. Pebay-Peyroula. "Classical Magnetism Arising from Orbital Motion." In Modern Atomic Physics: Fundamental Principles. New York, NY: Wiley, 1975, pp. 193-207. ISBN: 9780470129203.

Buy at Amazon Eisberg, Robert, and Robert Resnick. "Multielectron Atoms - Optical Excitations." In Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei and Particles. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Wiley, 1985, pp. 347-371. ISBN: 9780471873730.

Buy at Amazon Preston, D. W. The Art of Experimental Physics. New York, NY: Wiley and Sons, 1992, chapter 7, pp. 241-263. ISBN: 9780471538554.

Schuler, H. and J. Keyston. "Hyperfeinstrukturen und Kernmomente des Quecksilbers." Zeitschrift Fur Physik 74 (1932): 631-646.

Burns, K., K. Adams, and J. Longwell. "Interference Measurements in the Spectra of Neon and Natural Mercury." Journal of the Optical Society of America 40 (1950): 339-344.

Burns, K., and K. Adams. "Energy Levels and Wavelengths of the Isotopes of Mercury-199 and -200." Journal of the Optical Society of America 42 (1952): 716-721.