Zeeman effect

noun

, Physics, Optics.

1. the dividing of a spectral line or lines as a result of placing a radiation source in a magnetic field. The division consists of three equally spaced lines normal Zeeman effect in systems for which the spin quantum number is zero, or of three or more unequally spaced lines anomalous Zeeman effect in systems for which the spin quantum number is not zero.

Zeeman effect

/ ˈziːmən /

noun

1. the splitting of a spectral line of a substance into several closely spaced lines when the substance is placed in a magnetic field

Zeeman effect

1. The splitting of single spectral lines of an emission or absorption spectrum of a substance into three or more components when the substance is placed in a magnetic field. The effect occurs when several electron orbitals in the same shell, which normally have the same energy level, have different energies due to their different orientations in the magnetic field. A normal Zeeman effect is observed when a spectral line of an atom splits into three lines under a magnetic field. An anomalous Zeeman effect is observed if the spectral line splits into more than three lines. Astronomers can use the Zeeman effect to measure magnetic fields of stars.
2. Compare Stark effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zeeman effect¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; named after P. Zeeman

Word History and Origins

Origin of Zeeman effect¹

C20: named after Pieter Zeeman (1865–1943), Dutch physicist

Example Sentences

The only direct way to detect them comes from a phenomenon called the Zeeman effect, in which the magnetic fields cause so-called spectral lines to split in a way that depends on the strength of the field.

From Science Magazine

Using the Zeeman effect tracer detected by FAST, astronomers might even be able to measure the magnetic field strength in the accretion disks of gas and dust around newly born stars.

From Science Magazine

The response is asymmetric, with a tail at higher frequencies due to the residual Zeeman effect.

From Nature

When the atom crosses the laser beam, we calculate the two-photon excitation probability, taking into account the transit time broadening, AC Stark shift and residual Zeeman effect.

From Nature

In contrast, nonreciprocal electromagnetic propagation is commonly achieved based on the Zeeman effect, or modal splitting in ferromagnetic atoms induced by a magnetic bias.

From Science Magazine