Zeeman effect

In 1896 Zeeman learned that his laboratory had one of Henry Augustus Rowland's highest resolving diffraction gratings. Zeeman had read James Clerk Maxwell's article in Encyclopædia Britannica describing Michael Faraday's failed attempts to influence light with magnetism. Zeeman wondered if the new spectrographic techniques could succeed where early efforts had not.{{rp|75}}

When illuminated by a slit-shaped source, the grating produces a long array of slit images corresponding to different wavelengths. Zeeman placed a piece of asbestos soaked in salt water into a Bunsen burner flame at the source of the grating: he could easily see two lines for sodium light emission. Energizing a 10-kilogauss magnet around the flame, he observed a slight broadening of the sodium images.{{rp|76}}

When Zeeman switched to cadmium as the source, he observed the images split when the magnet was energized. These splittings could be analyzed with Hendrik Lorentz's then-new electron theory. In retrospect, we now know that the magnetic effects on sodium require quantum-mechanical treatment.{{Cite book |last=Pais |first=Abraham |title=Inward bound: of matter and forces in the physical world |date=2002 |publisher=Clarendon Press [u.a.] |isbn=978-0-19-851997-3 |edition=Reprint |location=Oxford}}{{rp|77}} Zeeman and Lorentz were awarded the 1902 Nobel Prize; in his acceptance speech Zeeman explained his apparatus and showed slides of the spectrographic images.{{Cite web |last=Pieter |first=Zeeman |date=1902 |title=Pieter Zeeman Nobel Lecture |url=https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1902/zeeman/lecture/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115204904/https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/1902/zeeman/lecture/ |archive-date=2018-11-15 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The Nobel Prize}}

{{Anchor|anomalous}}Historically, one distinguishes between the normal and an anomalous Zeeman effect (discovered by Thomas Preston in Dublin, Ireland{{cite journal |last1=Preston |first1=Thomas |title=Radiation phenomena in a strong magnetic field |journal=The Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society |date=1898 |volume=6 |pages=385–391 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015035446916;view=1up;seq=481 |series=2nd series}}). The anomalous effect appears on transitions where the net spin of the electrons is non-zero. It was called "anomalous" because the electron spin had not yet been discovered, and so there was no good explanation for it at the time that Zeeman observed the effect. Wolfgang Pauli recalled that when asked by a colleague as to why he looked unhappy, he replied: "How can one look happy when he is thinking about the anomalous Zeeman effect?""Niels Bohr's Times: In Physics, Philosophy, and Polity" By Abraham Pais, page 201.

At higher magnetic field strength the effect ceases to be linear. At even higher field strengths, comparable to the strength of the atom's internal field, the electron coupling is disturbed and the spectral lines rearrange. This is called the Paschen–Back effect.

In modern scientific literature, these terms are rarely used, with a tendency to use just the "Zeeman effect". Another rarely used obscure term is inverse Zeeman effect,{{Cite book |edition = 4 |isbn = 978-0-07-256191-3 |last1 = Jenkins |first1 = Francis |last2 = White |first2 = Harvey |title = Fundamentals of Optics |date = 2001-12-03 |publisher = McGraw-Hill Education}} referring to the Zeeman effect in an absorption spectral line.

A similar effect, splitting of the nuclear energy levels in the presence of a magnetic field, is referred to as the nuclear Zeeman effect.{{Cite book |doi = 10.1088/978-0-7503-6039-5ch7 |last = Dunlap |first = Richard A. |chapter = Hyperfine interactions—part III: the magnetic dipole interaction and the nuclear Zeeman effect |pages = 7-1–7-9 |title = The Mössbauer Effect |edition = 2 | publisher = IOP Publishing |accessdate = 2024-03-04 |year = 2023 |isbn = 978-0-7503-6039-5 |url = https://iopscience.iop.org/book/mono/978-0-7503-6039-5/chapter/bk978-0-7503-6039-5ch7}}

The total Hamiltonian of an atom in a magnetic field is

H = H_0 + V_\text{M},

where $H\_0$ is the unperturbed Hamiltonian of the atom, and $V\_\backslash text\{M\}$ is the perturbation due to the magnetic field:

V_\text{M} = -\vec{\mu} \cdot \vec{B},

where $\backslash vec\{\backslash mu\}$ is the magnetic moment of the atom. The magnetic moment consists of the electronic and nuclear parts; however, the latter is many orders of magnitude smaller and will be neglected here. Therefore,

\vec{\mu} \approx -\frac{\mu_\text{B} g \vec{J}}{\hbar},

where $\backslash mu\_\backslash text\{B\}$ is the Bohr magneton, $\backslash vec\{J\}$ is the total electronic angular momentum, and $g$ is the Landé g-factor.

A more accurate approach is to take into account that the operator of the magnetic moment of an electron is a sum of the contributions of the orbital angular momentum $\backslash vec\; L$ and the spin angular momentum $\backslash vec\; S$, with each multiplied by the appropriate gyromagnetic ratio:

\vec{\mu} = -\frac{\mu_\text{B} (g_l \vec{L} + g_s \vec{S})}{\hbar},

where $g\_l\; =\; 1$, and $g\_s\; \backslash approx\; 2.0023193$ (the anomalous gyromagnetic ratio, deviating from 2 due to the effects of quantum electrodynamics). In the case of the LS coupling, one can sum over all electrons in the atom:

g \vec{J} = \Big\langle\sum_i (g_l \vec{l}_i + g_s \vec{s}_i)\Big\rangle = \big\langle(g_l \vec{L} + g_s \vec{S})\big\rangle,

where $\backslash vec\{L\}$ and $\backslash vec\{S\}$ are the total spin momentum and spin of the atom, and averaging is done over a state with a given value of the total angular momentum.

If the interaction term $V\_\backslash text\{M\}$ is small (less than the fine structure), it can be treated as a perturbation; this is the Zeeman effect proper. In the Paschen–Back effect, described below, $V\_\backslash text\{M\}$ exceeds the LS coupling significantly (but is still small compared to $H\_0$). In ultra-strong magnetic fields, the magnetic-field interaction may exceed $H\_0$, in which case the atom can no longer exist in its normal meaning, and one talks about Landau levels instead. There are intermediate cases that are more complex than these limit cases.

If the spin–orbit interaction dominates over the effect of the external magnetic field, $\backslash vec\; L$ and $\backslash vec\; S$ are not separately conserved, only the total angular momentum $\backslash vec\; J\; =\; \backslash vec\; L\; +\; \backslash vec\; S$ is. The spin and orbital angular momentum vectors can be thought of as precessing about the (fixed) total angular momentum vector $\backslash vec\; J$. The (time-)"averaged" spin vector is then the projection of the spin onto the direction of $\backslash vec\; J$:

\vec S_\text{avg} = \frac{(\vec S \cdot \vec J)}{J^2} \vec J,

and for the (time-)"averaged" orbital vector:

\vec L_\text{avg} = \frac{(\vec L \cdot \vec J)}{J^2} \vec J.

Thus

\langle V_\text{M} \rangle = \frac{\mu_\text{B}}{\hbar} \vec J

\left(g_L\frac{\vec L \cdot \vec J}{J^2} + g_S\frac{\vec S \cdot \vec J}{J^2}\right) \cdot \vec B.

Using $\backslash vec\; L\; =\; \backslash vec\; J\; -\; \backslash vec\; S$ and squaring both sides, we get

\vec S \cdot \vec J = \frac{1}{2} (J^2 + S^2 - L^2) = \frac{\hbar^2}{2} [j(j + 1) - l(l + 1) + s(s + 1)],

and using $\backslash vec\; S\; =\; \backslash vec\; J\; -\; \backslash vec\; L$ and squaring both sides, we get

\vec L \cdot \vec J = \frac{1}{2} (J^2 - S^2 + L^2) = \frac{\hbar^2}{2} [j(j + 1) + l(l + 1) - s(s + 1)].

Combining everything and taking $J\_z\; =\; \backslash hbar\; m\_j$, we obtain the magnetic potential energy of the atom in the applied external magnetic field:

$$\backslash begin\{align\}$$

V_\text{M}

&= \mu_\text{B} B m_j \left[g_L \frac{j(j + 1) + l(l + 1) - s(s + 1)}{2j(j + 1)} +

g_S \frac{j(j + 1) - l(l + 1) + s(s + 1)}{2j(j + 1)}\right] \\

&= \mu_\text{B} B m_j \left[1 + (g_S - 1) \frac{j(j + 1) - l(l + 1) + s(s + 1)}{2j(j + 1)}\right] \\

&= \mu_\text{B} B m_j g_J,

\end{align}

where the quantity in square brackets is the Landé g-factor $g\_J$ of the atom ($g\_L\; =\; 1,$ $g\_S\; \backslash approx\; 2$), and $m\_j$ is the z component of the total angular momentum.

For a single electron above filled shells, with $s\; =\; 1/2$ and $j\; =\; l\; \backslash pm\; s$, the Landé g-factor can be simplified to

g_J = 1 \pm \frac{g_S - 1}{2l + 1}.

Taking $V\_\backslash text\{M\}$ to be the perturbation, the Zeeman correction to the energy is

E_\text{Z}^{(1)} = \langle nljm_j | H_\text{Z}^' | nljm_j \rangle

= \langle V_\text{M} \rangle_\Psi = \mu_\text{B} g_J B_\text{ext} m_j.

The Lyman-alpha transition in hydrogen in the presence of the spin–orbit interaction involves the transitions $2\backslash ,^2\backslash !P\_\{1/2\}\; \backslash to\; 1\backslash ,^2\backslash !S\_\{1/2\}$ and $2\backslash ,^2\backslash !P\_\{3/2\}\; \backslash to\; 1\backslash ,^2\backslash !S\_\{1/2\}.$

In the presence of an external magnetic field, the weak-field Zeeman effect splits the $1\backslash ,^2\backslash !S\_\{1/2\}$ and $2\backslash ,^2\backslash !P\_\{1/2\}$ levels into 2 states each ($m\_j\; =\; +1/2,\; -1/2$) and the $2\backslash ,^2\backslash !P\_\{3/2\}$ level into 4 states ($m\_j\; =\; +3/2,\; +1/2,\; -1/2,\; -3/2$). The Landé g-factors for the three levels are

$$\backslash begin\{align\}$$

g_J &= 2 & &\text{for}\ 1\,^2\!S_{1/2}\ (j = 1/2, l = 0), \\

g_J &= 2/3 & &\text{for}\ 2\,^2\!P_{1/2}\ (j = 1/2, l = 1), \\

g_J &= 4/3 & &\text{for}\ 2\,^2\!P_{3/2}\ (j = 3/2, l = 1).

\end{align}

Image:Zeeman p s doublet.svg

Note in particular that the size of the energy splitting is different for the different orbitals because the g_J values are different. Fine-structure splitting occurs even in the absence of a magnetic field, as it is due to spin–orbit coupling. Depicted on the right is the additional Zeeman splitting, which occurs in the presence of magnetic fields.

The Paschen–Back effect is the splitting of atomic energy levels in the presence of a strong magnetic field. This occurs when an external magnetic field is sufficiently strong to disrupt the coupling between orbital ($\backslash vec\{L\}$) and spin ($\backslash vec\{S\}$) angular momenta. This effect is the strong-field limit of the Zeeman effect. When $s\; =\; 0$, the two effects are equivalent. The effect was named after the German physicists Friedrich Paschen and Ernst E. A. Back.{{cite journal |last1=Paschen |first1=F. |last2=Back |first2=E. |title=Liniengruppen magnetisch vervollständigt |journal=Physica |date=1921 |volume=1 |pages=261–273 |trans-title=Line groups magnetically completed [i.e., completely resolved] |language=German}} Available at: [https://www.lorentz.leidenuniv.nl/history/proefschriften/Physica/Physica_1_1921_05391.pdf Leiden University (Netherlands)]

When the magnetic-field perturbation significantly exceeds the spin–orbit interaction, one can safely assume $[H\_\{0\},\; S]\; =\; 0$. This allows the expectation values of $L\_\{z\}$ and $S\_\{z\}$ to be easily evaluated for a state $|\backslash psi\backslash rangle$. The energies are simply

:$E\_\{z\}\; =\; \backslash left\backslash langle\; \backslash psi\; \backslash left|\; H\_\{0\}\; +\; \backslash frac\{B\_\{z\}\backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\}\{\backslash hbar\}(L\_\{z\}+g\_\{s\}S\_z)\; \backslash right|\backslash psi\backslash right\backslash rangle\; =\; E\_\{0\}\; +\; B\_z\backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\; (m\_l\; +\; g\_\{s\}m\_s).$

The above may be read as implying that the LS-coupling is completely broken by the external field. However, $m\_l$ and $m\_s$ are still "good" quantum numbers. Together with the selection rules for an electric dipole transition, i.e., $\backslash Delta\; s\; =\; 0,\; \backslash Delta\; m\_s\; =\; 0,\; \backslash Delta\; l\; =\; \backslash pm\; 1,\; \backslash Delta\; m\_l\; =\; 0,\; \backslash pm\; 1$ this allows to ignore the spin degree of freedom altogether. As a result, only three spectral lines will be visible, corresponding to the $\backslash Delta\; m\_l\; =\; 0,\; \backslash pm\; 1$ selection rule. The splitting $\backslash Delta\; E\; =\; B\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\; \backslash Delta\; m\_l$ is independent of the unperturbed energies and electronic configurations of the levels being considered.

More precisely, if $s\; \backslash ne\; 0$, each of these three components is actually a group of several transitions due to the residual spin–orbit coupling and relativistic corrections (which are of the same order, known as 'fine structure'). The first-order perturbation theory with these corrections yields the following formula for the hydrogen atom in the Paschen–Back limit:{{cite book |author=Griffiths, David J. |title=Introduction to Quantum Mechanics |date=2004 |publisher=Prentice Hall |isbn=0-13-111892-7 |edition=2nd |page=280 |oclc=40251748}}

:$E\_\{z+fs\}\; =\; E\_\{z\}\; +\; \backslash frac\{m\_e\; c^2\; \backslash alpha^4\}\{2\; n^3\}\; \backslash left\backslash \{\; \backslash frac\{3\}\{4n\}\; -\; \backslash left[\; \backslash frac\{l(l+1)\; -\; m\_l\; m\_s\}\{l(l+1/2)(l+1)\; \}\; \backslash right]\backslash right\backslash \}.$

In this example, the fine-structure corrections are ignored.

:

In the magnetic dipole approximation, the Hamiltonian which includes both the hyperfine and Zeeman interactions is{{cn|date=March 2025}}

:$H\; =\; h\; A\; \backslash vec\; I\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash vec\; J\; -\; \backslash vec\; \backslash mu\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash vec\; B$

:$H\; =\; h\; A\; \backslash vec\; I\; \backslash cdot\backslash vec\; J\; +\; (\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\; g\_J\backslash vec\; J\; +\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}\; g\_I\backslash vec\; I\; )\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash vec\; \{\backslash rm\; B\}$

where $A$ is the hyperfine splitting at zero applied magnetic field, $\backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}$ and $\backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}$ are the Bohr magneton and nuclear magneton, respectively (note that the last term in the expression above describes the nuclear Zeeman effect), $\backslash vec\; J$ and $\backslash vec\; I$ are the electron and nuclear angular momentum operators and $g\_J$ is the Landé g-factor:

$$g\_J\; =\; g\_L\backslash frac\{J(J+1)\; +\; L(L+1)\; -\; S(S+1)\}\{2J(J+1)\}\; +\; g\_S\backslash frac\{J(J+1)\; -\; L(L+1)\; +\; S(S+1)\}\{2J(J+1)\}.$$

In the case of weak magnetic fields, the Zeeman interaction can be treated as a perturbation to the $|F,m\_f\; \backslash rangle$ basis. In the high field regime, the magnetic field becomes so strong that the Zeeman effect will dominate, and one must use a more complete basis of $|I,J,m\_I,m\_J\backslash rangle$ or just $|m\_I,m\_J\; \backslash rangle$ since $I$ and $J$ will be constant within a given level.

To get the complete picture, including intermediate field strengths, we must consider eigenstates which are superpositions of the $|F,m\_F\; \backslash rangle$ and $|m\_I,m\_J\; \backslash rangle$ basis states. For $J\; =\; 1/2$, the Hamiltonian can be solved analytically, resulting in the Breit–Rabi formula (named after Gregory Breit and Isidor Isaac Rabi). Notably, the electric quadrupole interaction is zero for $L\; =\; 0$ ($J\; =\; 1/2$), so this formula is fairly accurate.

We now utilize quantum mechanical ladder operators, which are defined for a general angular momentum operator $L$ as

:$L\_\{\backslash pm\}\; \backslash equiv\; L\_x\; \backslash pm\; iL\_y$

These ladder operators have the property

:$L\_\{\backslash pm\}|L\_,m\_L\; \backslash rangle\; =\; \backslash sqrt\{(L\; \backslash mp\; m\_L)(L\; \backslash pm\; m\_L\; +1)\}\; |L,m\_L\; \backslash pm\; 1\; \backslash rangle$

as long as $m\_L$ lies in the range $\{-L,\; \backslash dots\; ...\; ,L\}$ (otherwise, they return zero). Using ladder operators $J\_\{\backslash pm\}$ and $I\_\{\backslash pm\}$

We can rewrite the Hamiltonian as

:$H\; =\; h\; A\; I\_z\; J\_z\; +\; \backslash frac\{hA\}\{2\}(J\_+\; I\_-\; +\; J\_-\; I\_+)\; +\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\; B\; g\_J\; J\_z\; +\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}\; B\; g\_I\; I\_z$

We can now see that at all times, the total angular momentum projection $m\_F\; =\; m\_J\; +\; m\_I$ will be conserved. This is because both $J\_z$ and $I\_z$ leave states with definite $m\_J$ and $m\_I$ unchanged, while $J\_+\; I\_-$ and $J\_-\; I\_+$ either increase $m\_J$ and decrease $m\_I$ or vice versa, so the sum is always unaffected. Furthermore, since $J\; =\; 1/2$ there are only two possible values of $m\_J$ which are $\backslash pm\; 1/2$. Therefore, for every value of $m\_F$ there are only two possible states, and we can define them as the basis:

:$|\backslash pm\backslash rangle\; \backslash equiv\; |m\_J\; =\; \backslash pm\; 1/2,\; m\_I\; =\; m\_F\; \backslash mp\; 1/2\; \backslash rangle$

This pair of states is a two-level quantum mechanical system. Now we can determine the matrix elements of the Hamiltonian:

:$\backslash langle\; \backslash pm\; |H|\backslash pm\; \backslash rangle\; =\; -\backslash frac\{1\}\{4\}\; hA\; +\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}\; B\; g\_I\; m\_F\; \backslash pm\; \backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}\; (hAm\_F\; +\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\; B\; g\_J-\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}\; B\; g\_I))$

:$\backslash langle\; \backslash pm\; |H|\; \backslash mp\; \backslash rangle\; =\; \backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}\; hA\; \backslash sqrt\{(I\; +\; 1/2)^2\; -\; m\_F^2\}$

Solving for the eigenvalues of this matrix – as can be done by hand (see two-level quantum mechanical system), or more easily, with a computer algebra system – we arrive at the energy shifts:

:$\backslash Delta\; E\_\{F=I\backslash pm1/2\}\; =\; -\backslash frac\{h\; \backslash Delta\; W\; \}\{2(2I+1)\}\; +\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}\; g\_I\; m\_F\; B\; \backslash pm\; \backslash frac\{h\; \backslash Delta\; W\}\{2\}\backslash sqrt\{1\; +\; \backslash frac\{2m\_F\; x\; \}\{I+1/2\}+\; x^2\; \}$

:$x\; \backslash equiv\; \backslash frac\{B(\backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; B\}\; g\_J\; -\; \backslash mu\_\{\backslash rm\; N\}\; g\_I)\}\{h\; \backslash Delta\; W\}\; \backslash quad\; \backslash quad\; \backslash Delta\; W=\; A\; \backslash left(I+\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}\backslash right)$

where $\backslash Delta\; W$ is the splitting (in units of Hz) between two hyperfine sublevels in the absence of magnetic field $B$,

$x$ is referred to as the 'field strength parameter' (Note: for $m\_F\; =\; \backslash pm(I+1/2)$ the expression under the square root is an exact square, and so the last term should be replaced by $+\backslash frac\{h\backslash Delta\; W\}\{2\}(1\backslash pm\; x)$). This equation is known as the Breit–Rabi formula and is useful for systems with one valence electron in an $s$ ($J\; =\; 1/2$) level.{{cite book |last1=Woodgate |first1=Gordon Kemble |title=Elementary Atomic Structure |date=1980 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford, England |pages=193–194 |edition=2nd}}First appeared in: {{cite journal |last1=Breit |first1=G. |last2=Rabi |first2=I.I. |title=Measurement of nuclear spin |journal=Physical Review |date=1931 |volume=38 |issue=11 |pages=2082–2083 |doi=10.1103/PhysRev.38.2082.2|bibcode=1931PhRv...38.2082B }}

Note that index $F$ in $\backslash Delta\; E\_\{F=I\backslash pm1/2\}$ should be considered not as total angular momentum of the atom but as asymptotic total angular momentum. It is equal to total angular momentum only if $B=0$

otherwise eigenvectors corresponding different eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian are the superpositions of states with different $F$ but equal $m\_F$ (the only exceptions are $|F=I+1/2,m\_F=\backslash pm\; F\; \backslash rangle$).

File:Sunzeeman1919.png

George Ellery Hale was the first to notice the Zeeman effect in the solar spectra, indicating the existence of strong magnetic fields in sunspots. Such fields can be quite high, on the order of 0.1 tesla or higher. Today, the Zeeman effect is used to produce magnetograms showing the variation of magnetic field on the Sun,{{Cite journal |last=Schad |first=Thomas A. |last2=Petrie |first2=Gordon J.D. |last3=Kuhn |first3=Jeffrey R. |last4=Fehlmann |first4=Andre |last5=Rimmele |first5=Thomas |last6=Tritschler |first6=Alexandra |last7=Woeger |first7=Friedrich |last8=Scholl |first8=Isabelle |last9=Williams |first9=Rebecca |last10=Harrington |first10=David |last11=Paraschiv |first11=Alin R. |last12=Szente |first12=Judit |date=2024-09-13 |title=Mapping the Sun’s coronal magnetic field using the Zeeman effect |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq1604 |journal=Science Advances |language=en |volume=10 |issue=37 |doi=10.1126/sciadv.adq1604 |issn=2375-2548 |pmc=11421591 |pmid=39259791}} and to analyze the magnetic field geometries in other stars.{{Cite journal |last=Kochukhov |first=Oleg |date=December 2021 |title=Magnetic fields of M dwarfs |journal=The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review |volume=29 |issue=1 |pages=1 |doi=10.1007/s00159-020-00130-3 |arxiv=2011.01781 |issn=0935-4956}}

The Zeeman effect is utilized in many laser cooling applications such as a magneto-optical trap and the Zeeman slower.{{Cite journal |last=Bowden |first=William |last2=Gunton |first2=Will |last3=Semczuk |first3=Mariusz |last4=Dare |first4=Kahan |last5=Madison |first5=Kirk W. |date=2016-04-18 |title=An adaptable dual species effusive source and Zeeman slower design demonstrated with Rb and Li |url=https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article-abstract/87/4/043111/361124/An-adaptable-dual-species-effusive-source-and?redirectedFrom=fulltext |journal=Review of Scientific Instruments |volume=87 |issue=4 |pages=043111 |doi=10.1063/1.4945567 |issn=0034-6748|arxiv=1509.07460 }}

Zeeman-energy mediated coupling of spin and orbital motions

is used in spintronics for controlling electron spins in quantum dots through electric dipole spin resonance.Y. Tokura, W. G. van der Wiel, T. Obata, and S. Tarucha, Coherent single electron spin control in a slanting Zeeman field, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 047202 (2006)

Old high-precision frequency standards, i.e. hyperfine structure transition-based atomic clocks, may require periodic fine-tuning due to exposure to magnetic fields. This is carried out by measuring the Zeeman effect on specific hyperfine structure transition levels of the source element (cesium) and applying a uniformly precise, low-strength magnetic field to said source, in a process known as degaussing.{{cite AV media |people=Verdiell, Marc (CuriousMarc) |date=October 31, 2022 |title=How an Atomic Clock Really Works, Round 2: Zeeman Alignment |type=YouTube video |language=English |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTy1kY_wtsY |access-date=March 11, 2023}}

The Zeeman effect may also be utilized to improve accuracy in atomic absorption spectroscopy.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

A theory about the magnetic sense of birds assumes that a protein in the retina is changed due to the Zeeman effect.{{cite journal |last1=Thalau |first1=Peter |last2=Ritz |first2=Thorsten |last3=Burda |first3=Hynek |last4=Wegner |first4=Regina E. |last5=Wiltschko |first5=Roswitha |title=The magnetic compass mechanisms of birds and rodents are based on different physical principles |journal= Journal of the Royal Society Interface|date=18 April 2006 |volume=3 |issue=9 |pages=583–587 |pmc=1664646 |doi=10.1098/rsif.2006.0130 |pmid=16849254 }}

The nuclear Zeeman effect is important in such applications as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and Mössbauer spectroscopy.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

The electron spin resonance spectroscopy is based on the Zeeman effect.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

File:Zeeman effect demo.svg

The Zeeman effect can be demonstrated by placing a sodium vapor source in a powerful electromagnet and viewing a sodium vapor lamp through the magnet opening (see diagram). With magnet off, the sodium vapor source will block the lamp light; when the magnet is turned on the lamp light will be visible through the vapor.

The sodium vapor can be created by sealing sodium metal in an evacuated glass tube and heating it while the tube is in the magnet.{{Citation |title=Candle flame is repelled by magnets (and Zeeman follow-up) |url=https://youtube.com/watch/JV4Fk3VNZqs?si=U20jHpiTGt0G71pu |access-date=2024-02-27 |language=en}}

Alternatively, salt (sodium chloride) on a ceramic stick can be placed in the flame of Bunsen burner as the sodium vapor source. When the magnetic field is energized, the lamp image will be brighter.{{Citation |title=Candle flame is repelled by magnets (and Zeeman follow-up) |url=https://youtube.com/watch/JV4Fk3VNZqs?si=U20jHpiTGt0G71pu |access-date=2024-02-27 |language=en}} However, the magnetic field also affects the flame, making the observation depend upon more than just the Zeeman effect. These issues also plagued Zeeman's original work; he devoted considerable effort to ensure his observations were truly an effect of magnetism on light emission.{{Cite journal |last=Kox |first=A J |date=1997-05-01 |title=The discovery of the electron: II. The Zeeman effect |url=https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0143-0807/18/3/003 |journal=European Journal of Physics |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=139–144 |doi=10.1088/0143-0807/18/3/003 |bibcode=1997EJPh...18..139K |s2cid=53414643 |issn=0143-0807}}

When salt is added to the Bunsen burner, it dissociates to give sodium and chloride. The sodium atoms get excited due to photons from the sodium vapour lamp, with electrons excited from 3s to 3p states, absorbing light in the process. The sodium vapour lamp emits light at 589nm, which has precisely the energy to excite an electron of a sodium atom. If it was an atom of another element, like chlorine, shadow will not be formed.{{Cite journal |last1=Suzuki |first1=Masatsugu Sei |last2=Suzuki |first2=Itsuko S. |date=2011 |title=Lecture Note on Senior Laboratory Zeeman effect in Na, Cd, and Hg |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269929968 |journal=ResearchGate}}{{verification failed|date=February 2024}} When a magnetic field is applied, due to the Zeeman effect the spectral line of sodium gets split into several components. This means the energy difference between the 3s and 3p atomic orbitals will change. As the sodium vapour lamp don't precisely deliver the right frequency anymore, light doesn't get absorbed and passes through, resulting in the shadow dimming. As the magnetic field strength is increased, the shift in the spectral lines increases and lamp light is transmitted.{{Cn|date=February 2024}}

{{Commons category|Zeeman effect}}

• Magneto-optic Kerr effect
• Voigt effect
• Faraday effect
• Cotton–Mouton effect
• Polarization spectroscopy
• Zeeman energy
• Stark effect
• Lamb shift

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book| first = E. U. | last = Condon |author2=G. H. Shortley | title = The Theory of Atomic Spectra | publisher = Cambridge University Press | date = 1935 | isbn = 0-521-09209-4}} (Chapter 16 provides a comprehensive treatment, as of 1935.)
• {{cite journal |last1=Zeeman |first1=P. |title=Over de invloed eener magnetisatie op den aard van het door een stof uitgezonden licht |journal=Verslagen van de Gewone Vergaderingen der Wis- en Natuurkundige Afdeeling (Koninklijk Akademie van Wetenschappen te Amsterdam) [Reports of the Ordinary Sessions of the Mathematical and Physical Section (Royal Academy of Sciences in Amsterdam)] |date=1896 |volume=5 |pages=181–184 and 242–248 |bibcode=1896VMKAN...5..181Z |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112109543402;view=1up;seq=201 |trans-title=On the influence of magnetism on the nature of the light emitted by a substance |language=Dutch}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Zeeman |first1=P. |title=On the influence of magnetism on the nature of the light emitted by a substance |journal=Philosophical Magazine |date=1897 |volume=43 |issue=262 |pages=226–239 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015024088695;view=1up;seq=238 |series=5th series |doi=10.1080/14786449708620985|url-access=subscription }}
• {{Cite journal| first = P. | last = Zeeman | title = The effect of magnetisation on the nature of light emitted by a substance | journal = Nature | volume = 55 | date = 11 February 1897 | pages = 347 | doi = 10.1038/055347a0 | issue=1424|bibcode = 1897Natur..55..347Z | doi-access = free }}
• {{cite journal |last1=Zeeman |first1=P. |title=Over doubletten en tripletten in het spectrum, teweeggebracht door uitwendige magnetische krachten |journal=Verslagen van de Gewone Vergaderingen der Wis- en Natuurkundige Afdeeling (Koninklijk Akademie van Wetenschappen te Amsterdam) [Reports of the Ordinary Sessions of the Mathematical and Physical Section (Royal Academy of Sciences in Amsterdam)] |date=1897 |volume=6 |pages=13–18, 99–102, and 260–262 |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112109543394;view=1up;seq=19 |trans-title=On doublets and triplets in the spectrum, caused by external magnetic forces |language=Dutch}}
• {{Cite journal| first = P. | last = Zeeman | title = Doublets and triplets in the spectrum produced by external magnetic forces | journal = Philosophical Magazine | series = 5th series | volume = 44| pages = 55–60 | date = 1897| doi = 10.1080/14786449708621028| issue = 266 | url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015010227844;view=1up;seq=67 | url-access = subscription }}

• {{Cite book |author-link=Richard Feynman |first1=Richard |last1=Feynman |author2-link=Robert B. Leighton |first2=Robert B. |last2=Leighton |author3-link=Matthew Sands |first3=Matthew |last3=Sands | title=The Feynman Lectures on Physics | date=1989 | volume=3 | publisher=Addison-Wesley | isbn=0-201-02115-3| url=https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/III_12.html#Ch12-S4 }}
• {{Cite journal |first = Paul | last = Forman | title = Alfred Landé and the anomalous Zeeman Effect, 1919-1921 | journal = Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences | volume = 2 | date = 1970 | pages = 153–261| doi = 10.2307/27757307| jstor = 27757307 }}
• {{Cite book | first = David J. | last = Griffiths | title = Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | edition = 2nd | publisher = Prentice Hall | date = 2004 | isbn = 0-13-805326-X | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/introductiontoel00grif_0 }}
• {{Cite book | last=Liboff |first = Richard L.| author-link=Liboff, Richard L. | title=Introductory Quantum Mechanics | publisher=Addison-Wesley | date=2002 |edition=4th | isbn=0-8053-8714-5 |oclc=50475492}}
• {{Cite book | last=Sobelman |first = Igor I. | title=Theory of Atomic Spectra | publisher=Alpha Science | date=2006 | isbn=1-84265-203-6 |oclc=71825022}}
• {{Cite book | last=Foot |first = C.J. | title=Atomic Physics |date=2005 | publisher=OUP Oxford | isbn=0-19-850696-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/atomicphysics0000foot |oclc=57478010}}

• [https://youtube.com/watch/OzkcB1lkgGU?si=gy8MSHftwjfoB_xP Zeeman effect-Control light with magnetic fields]

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Category:Spectroscopy

Category:Quantum magnetism

Category:Foundational quantum physics

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Category:Magneto-optic effects