What is Zeeman effect: Definition and 67 Discussions

The Zeeman effect (; Dutch pronunciation: [ˈzeːmɑn]), named after Dutch physicist Pieter Zeeman, is the effect of splitting of a spectral line into several components in the presence of a static magnetic field. It is analogous to the Stark effect, the splitting of a spectral line into several components in the presence of an electric field. Also similar to the Stark effect, transitions between different components have, in general, different intensities, with some being entirely forbidden (in the dipole approximation), as governed by the selection rules.
Since the distance between the Zeeman sub-levels is a function of magnetic field strength, this effect can be used to measure magnetic field strength, e.g. that of the Sun and other stars or in laboratory plasmas.
The Zeeman effect is very important in applications such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It may also be utilized to improve accuracy in atomic absorption spectroscopy.
A theory about the magnetic sense of birds assumes that a protein in the retina is changed due to the Zeeman effect.When the spectral lines are absorption lines, the effect is called inverse Zeeman effect.

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  1. R

    Understanding the Zeeman Effect: Internal, External, or Static?

    Hello all, I am confused with naming of the Zeeman effect (in nuclear or/and electronic levels). Is that means: 1. splitting of spectral lines due to internal magnetic field, or 2. splitting of spectral lines due to external magnetic field, or 3. splitting of spectral lines due to...
  2. C

    Exploring the Zeeman Effect on Electron Orbitals

    If electrons orbit an atom in discrete energy levels like n= 1 , 2, 3 ... and they never orbit in between the ground state and the first excited state . then why should a magnetic field break this rule and push the electron a little bit so when it relaxes back down it emits a longer...
  3. R

    Calculating the Zeeman Effect: Na Lamp in 0.4T Magnetic Field

    Homework Statement I have problems with calculation of the Zeemans effect. A natrium lamp is being placed in magnetic field with B=0.4T. Calculate the Zeemans effect for the states 3s j=1/2 and 3 p j=1/2 The only problem i get in this calculations is the Landes factor...can get the right...
  4. K

    Energy Level notation in relation to the Zeeman Effect

    I am doing an Atomic & Molecular physics course in Germany as part of my year abroad. A notation that is used in this course to denote energy levels is in the form below. I cannot find a good explanation of how it works, (and this may sound stupid) but i cannot find a mention of it in the notes...
  5. T

    Charge-to-mass ratio with Zeeman Effect

    Homework Statement I'm supposed to determine e/m using Zeeman effect. B=0.45 T Difference between two spectral lines is also known (0.649x10^10 Hz)Homework Equations Normal or anomalous Zeeman effect? How you know it? I'm guessing normal, so \Delta E = m_{l} \frac{e \hbar}{2m_{e}}B \Delta E =...
  6. K

    Zeeman Effect: Counting Frequencies and Explaining Zero Frequency

    Suppose for a system with two levels with corresponding rotational quantum number J=2 and J=1, each of these have sublevels corresponding to J=2: m_J=-2, -1, 0, 1, 2 and J=1: m_J=-1, 0, 1, tune the external field such that we have transitions corresponds to \Delta m_J=-1, 0, 1. So how many...
  7. J

    Exploring the Zeeman Effect: Examining the Effects of Magnetic Fields on Light

    So I am doing a practical on the Zeeman effect, and have not been able to find an answer to the following: The experiment used a cadmium lamp, with it's light going though a fabry-perot interferometer. When the magnetic field was applied perpendicular to the direction of the interferometer...
  8. C

    Help Understanding the Zeeman Effect

    Basically, what is the Zeeman Effect and how is it caused. This isn't really a homework question, just trying to clear up my understanding and for my own notes. Ok well, this is what my current understanding is: The normal Zeeman Effect to be the splitting of spectral lines when a magnetic...
  9. R

    What Defines the Weak Field Regime in the Zeeman Effect?

    Hi, quick question: I have been told that the weak field regime is when the spin orbit interaction dominates over the Zeeman effect. What exactly does this mean? Does it mean that the energy shift relative to the gross energy due to the S-O interaction is much greater than the energy shift...
  10. T

    Zeeman effect and defining the g_F Factor

    Homework Statement A hydrogen atom is interacting with an external magnetic field. 1. Derive the equation for the g_F-factor of the hyperfine states. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Okay, so the question asks to define the gF factor, however, I am not quite sure...
  11. hagopbul

    Studying the Zeeman Effect on Molecules

    hello all how we can study the zeeman effect on molecule what is the bases to do it or it is the same for atoms.
  12. G

    Zeeman Effect Problem [Maybe Simple for you]

    Homework Statement The Zeeman components of a 500 nm spectral line are 0.0116 nm apart when the magnetic field is 1.00 T. Find the e/m ratio for the electron from these data Homework Equations Seperation of the Zeeman Components frequency(v)=eb/4x3,14xm The Attempt at a Solution from here...
  13. H

    How Do Magnetic Fields Affect the Wavelengths of Sodium Transitions?

    Homework Statement Calculate the wavelengths for all the allowed transitions of the 3p to 3s states of 23Na atoms in a magnetic field of 2T. Homework Equations (energy splitting) V = μB B mj g (Lande g factor) g = 1 + {[(J(J+1)+S(S+1)-L(L+1)] / 2J(J+1)}...
  14. K

    Zeeman effect and lande g factor

    Homework Statement Deduce the expression of Lande g factors from Zeeman effect Homework Equations For Zeeman effect, we treat the energy perturbation as \vec{S}\cdot\vec{L}, where S is the spin and L is the orbital momentum. Let magnetic field along z direction so the energy correction...
  15. T

    Understanding the Zeeman Effect Interaction

    Homework Statement When is Zeeman effect interaction 0? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I was thinking that when l=0, then Zeeman effect interaction should be 0 because when l =0, we only have ml = 0. So, zeeman effect interaction should be zero. I haven't...
  16. P

    Zeeman Effect for a Muon: Differences Compared to Ordinary Hydrogen Atoms

    Homework Statement Consider an atom composed of a proton nucleus and an orbiting negatively charged muon (which has a mass of 207*(mass of an electron)). What difference, if any, would you expect between the Zeeman Effect in such atoms and in ordinary hydrogen atoms? (Hint: the muon has spin...
  17. N

    Zeeman effect pattern, Intensities?

    Im dong the zeeman effect for Mercury trasitions 3S1 --> 3P0/1/2 (Violet, Blue and Green lines). I've taken CCD pictures of all lines in a weak B field and with polaroid placed parallel and perpendicularly, and produced graphs of pixel value v column number (intensity v horizontal position)...
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