Zeeman Effect
Zeeman Effect
Zeeman Effect
Physics
Leaflets
P6.2.7.1
Observing the
normal Zeeman effect
in transverse and
longitudinal configuration
Principles
Normal Zeeman effect
observed, which became known as the anomalous Zeeman
effect. To explain this phenomenon, Goudsmit and Uhlenbeck
first introduced the hypothesis of electron spin in 1925. Ultimately, it became apparent that the anomalous Zeeman effect
was actually the rule and the normal Zeeman effect the
exception.
The Zeeman effect is the name for the splitting of atomic energy
levels or spectral lines due to the action of an external magnetic
field. The effect was first predicted by H. A. Lorenz in 1895 as
part of his classic theory of the electron, and experimentally
confirmed some years later by P. Zeeman. Zeeman observed
a line triplet instead of a single spectral line at right angles to
a magnetic field, and a line doublet parallel to the magnetic
field. Later, more complex splittings of spectral lines were
The normal Zeeman effect only occurs at the transitions between atomic states with the total spin S = 0. The total angular
momentum J = L + S of a state is then a pure orbital angular
momentum (J = L). For the corresponding magnetic moment,
we can simply say that:
m=
mB
J
\
(I)
where
mB =
\e
2me
(II)
(III)
mit MJ = J, J 1, , -J
(IV)
0506-Sel
(V).
P6.2.7.1
Apparatus
1 Cadmium lamp for Zeeman effect
1 Optical system for observing
the Zeeman effect . . . . . . . . .
1 Lummer-Gehrcke plate . . . . . .
1 Electromagnet for Zeeman effect
. . . . .
451 12
. . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . .
471 20
471 21
514 50
451 30
521 55
In the magnetic field, the 1D2 level splits into five Zeeman
components, and the level 1P1 splits into three Zeeman components having the spacing calculated using equation (V).
DMJ
= 1
=0
fr s-Components
fr p-Components
(VI)
Thus, we observe a total of three spectral lines (see Fig. 1); the
p component is not shifted and the two s components are
shifted by
Df =
DE
h
(VII)
Safety notes
The electrical leads on the cadmium lamp and the resistors
of the starting electrodes are open and easily accessible:
P6.2.7.1
Setup
First-time setup:
Fig. 5 shows the complete setup in the transverse configuration.
n2 sin2ak = k l
mit k = 1, 2, 3,
(VIII)
(D = optical path difference, d = thickness of plate, n = refractive index of the glass, k = order of interference)
Fig. 5: Experiment setup for the Zeeman effect in the transverse
configuration
(a) pole pieces
(b) cadmium lamp with holder
(c) plug-in holder for red filter
(d) cover
(e) telescope
(f) ocular
(g) height adjustment for telescope
(h) arresting screw for column
(i) arresting screw for column base
P6.2.7.1
Screw in the holder for the cadmium lamp (b) with the
Electrical connection:
Remove the ocular of the telescope (f); to optimize brightness and contrast, alternately
P6.2.7.1
a) shift and swivel the entire optical system left and right
on the base plate (fix with arresting screw (i));
b) set the height of the complete optical system in relation
to the cadmium lamp and the hole in the pole pieces (fix
with arresting screw (h)).
To improve brightness and contrast of the lines, you may
need to raise the entire cover or the red filter with collecting
lens in the plug-in holder.
Fine adjustment:
When the telescope is aimed precisely at the rear of the
Lummer-Gehrcke plate, the interference lines appear symmetrically distributed between the top and the bottom. The
bright inner lines are best suited for observation.
Fig. 7: Interference pattern for the Zeeman effect in the transverse configuration
a) observed without polarization filter
b) observed with polarization direction
of the filter perpendicular to the magnetic field
c) observed with polarization direction
of the filter parallel to the magnetic field
Slide the foam rubber ring over the holder of the polarization filter.
Place the holder with polarization filter (e1) over the tele-
Fig. 8: Interference pattern for the Zeeman effect in the longitudinal configuration
a)
observed without quarter-wavelength foil
and polarization filter
b), c) observed with quarter-wavelength foiland
polarization filter to demonstrate counterclockwise
and clockwise-circular polarization
Slide the flexible light screen onto the holder for the quarter-wavelength foil.
Additional information
The total intensity of all Zeeman components is the same in all
spatial directions. In transverse observation, the intensity of
the p component is equal to the total intensity of the two s
components.
LEYBOLD DIDACTIC GMBH Leyboldstrasse 1 D-50354 Hrth Phone (02233) 604-0 Telefax (02233) 604-222 Telex 17 223 332 LHPCGN D
by Leybold Didactic GmbH