zeemanhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zeeman_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZeeman, n.
Revised 2018

Zeemannoun

Physics.
  1. 1.
    1897–
    Zeeman effect noun
    An effect whereby a line in the spectrum of an atom or molecule (esp. an emission spectrum; cf. inverse Zeeman effect n.) is split into a number of closely spaced component lines by a magnetic field; cf. Paschen–Back effect n., Stark effect at Stark n.4
    anomalous Zeeman effect noun now chiefly historical a form of the Zeeman effect in which an even number of lines is produced rather than the expected odd number, theoretically unexplained before the discovery of electron spin in the 1920s. inverse Zeeman effect noun the splitting of lines in an absorption spectrum in the presence of a magnetic field.
    1. [1897
      A theoretical analysis..can be developed in connexion with Zeeman's phenomenon, which may help to throw light on the nature of the electric vibrations in the molecule.
      London, Edinburgh & Dublin Philosophical Magazine 5th Series vol. 44 503]
    2. 1897
      The rotation of the mica plate then showed at once the Zeeman effect as a displacement of one image with respect to the other.
      Abstr. Physical Papers Foreign Sources (Physical Society) vol. 3 358
    3. 1899
      The author does not agree..that the rotation of the plane of the vibrations is the principal cause of the appearance of light in the inverse Zeeman effect.
      Science Abstracts: Physics & Electrical Engineering vol. 2 167
    4. 1913
      Anomalous Zeeman-effect of spectral lines of the D-type.
      Science Abstracts A. vol. 16 591 (title)
    5. 1962
      Using the Zeeman effect in spectral lines originating at high levels in the sun, he has been able to show that a flare is often accompanied by a drastic simplification of the local field.
      Rep. Progress Physics vol. 25 272
    6. 1980
      All of these exceptional cases came to be called the anomalous Zeeman effect, although the exceptions soon proved to be much more numerous than the rule.
      E. U. Condon & H. Odabaşi, Atomic Struct. i. 14
    7. 1994
      What we observe in astronomical spectra is mostly absorption lines superposed on continuous spectra, i.e. Fraunhofer lines. They display the so-called inverse Zeeman effect.
      Ye Shi-Hui, Magn. Fields Celestial Bodies ii. 16
    8. 2009
      The spin of the electron was postulated in 1925 in order to explain certain features of the optical spectra of hot gases, particularly gases subjected to a magnetic field (Zeeman effect).
      B. D. Cullity & C. D. Graham, Introduction to Magnetic Materials (ed. 2) ii. 88
  2. 2.
    1898–
    attributive. Relating to, caused by, or utilizing the Zeeman effect, as Zeeman splitting.
    1. 1898
      The ‘outer lines’ of the Zeeman triplet show indications of complex structure.
      Astrophysical Journal vol. 8 45
    2. 1927
      Each of the five hyper-fine structure lines has a triplet Zeeman pattern.
      Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. vol. 13 431
    3. 1962
      There are several ways of inferring the existence of magnetic fields, of which the most direct is from a measurement of the Zeeman splitting of spectral lines.
      W. B. Thompson, Introduction to Plasma Physics i. 3
    4. 1971
      When a nucleus is placed in a high magnetic field, each energy level splits into several sublevels known as magnetic sublevels or Zeeman levels.
      New Scientist 18 February 381/1
    5. 2009
      Today, Zeeman lasers are available from two manufacturers.
      V. V. Protopopov, Laser Heterodyning v. 243

Zeeman, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zeeman, n. was last modified in July 2023.