ZEEMAN EFFECT

Vaishnav V Prem
IMS18149

ABSTRACT
The Zeeman effect is the effect of splitting a spectral line into several components in a static magnetic
field. It arises because of the interaction between the magnetic dipole of the electron spin and the
magnetic field. In this experiment, we analyzed the Zeeman splitting of the green line (546.1 nm) in the
Mercury spectrum subjected to a magnetic field using HOLMARC’s Zeeman Effect apparatus. The ratio
of 𝜇0 was verified using Zeeman splitting in 6𝑃3 and 7𝑆3 states of mercury.
ℎ𝑐 2 1

INTRODUCTION
The Zeeman effect is splitting a spectral line into several components when a light source is placed in a
static magnetic field. It is named after the renowned Dutch physicist Pieter Zeeman who discovered it.
Electrons in an atom occupy states with well-defined energies, called energy levels. On applying a
magnetic field, the degeneracy of energy levels is lifted as certain orientations of the magnetic moment
will correspond to lower energy depending on the direction of the magnetic field. The selection rule
governs the transitions, which can be observed in a magnetic field for the magnetic quantum number m,
namely that for allowed transitions ∆m = 0 or ±1, and the state of polarization of emitted light. In this
experiment, the spectral line observed is the green line of mercury at 546.1nm, which splits into nine
components. These include three π polarized lines (∆mj = 0) and six σ polarized lines (∆mj = ±1). The
three π lines are linearly polarized, the six σ lines can be blocked using a polarizing filter, leaving three
central π lines more clearly visible for measurement. The splitting and the corresponding transitions are as
shown in Figure 1. An etalon is an optical interferometer. In this experiment, we found the spacing of the
etalon by measuring the radius of the circular fringes without applying any magnetic field. The spacing of
the etalon is given by,

𝑛𝐷2λ
𝑡= 2
𝑋𝑛

where, t is the etalon spacing

D is the distance between etalon and the camera
n is the order of the ring
λ is the wavelength of the light used

𝑋𝑛2 is the difference in the radius2 of two circular fringes

Mercury green line transmission from 𝟑𝑺𝟏 → 𝟑𝑷𝟐 of wavelength 5460.74 𝑨𝟎

Fig 1: Schematic representation of splitting in Mercury

For the computation of the fundamental constant 𝜇0

ℎ𝑐

ΔEZeeman ; 63P2 = g0 |B|

ΔEZeeman ; 73S1 = g1 |B|

For some constants g0, g1

(ΔEZeeman; 73S1) − (ΔEZeeman; 63P2) = (g1−g0)

B (∆Vab + ∆Vbc)
(g1−g0) B = 2

< 𝛿𝑎𝑏 >

∆Vab = 2𝑡<∆>

<𝛿𝑏𝑐 >
ΔVbc = 2𝑡 <𝛥>

Where <∆> is the average of the δ12, δ23 and δ34 values and t is the thickness of the etalon. Using the
above equations, we have

𝜇0 ∆Vab + ∆Vbc
ℎ𝑐 = 𝐵
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Calibration of magnetic field:
1. A gauss meter probe was introduced between the poles of the electromagnet.
2. Vary the current from 0 A to 3.75 A at regular intervals of 0.25 A and the corresponding
magnetic field was noted using the gauss meter.
3. The magnetic field vs current graph was plotted.

To find the thickness of the etalon:

1. A mercury lamp was introduced between the poles of the electromagnet.
2. An interference pattern was obtained by passing the mercury light through a Fabry Perot Etalon
without any magnetic field.
3. The interference pattern was analysed using the ImageJ software, and the radii of the first
four fringes were noted down.

To find the fundamental constant:

1. A magnetic field was introduced, which caused a splitting of the fringes in the
interference pattern.
2. The radii of the fringes from the new design were noted down using the ImageJ software.

OBSERVATIONS

Calibration of magnetic field

The magnetic field was calibrated by varying the current from 0 to 3.6 A and maximum back to 0.

Current Magnetic field Magnetic field Average Magnetic

I(mA) increasing decreasing field B (in Gauss)
(in Gauss) (in Gauss)
0 470 470 470
0.25 1720 2040 1880
0.5 2940 3350 3145
0.75 4230 4690 4460
1 5520 6010 5765
1.25 6790 7270 7030
1.5 7980 8350 8165
1.75 9180 9630 9405
2 10280 10750 10515
2.25 11360 11750 11555
2.5 12370 12510 12440
2.75 13260 13530 13395
3 14060 14230 14145