How to Determine the Magnetic Field from Sodium's D Line Splitting?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on determining the magnetic field experienced by the valence electron in sodium due to its orbital motion, specifically in relation to the D1 and D2 transitions. Participants explore the implications of spin-orbit interaction and the relationship between magnetic moments and magnetic fields, as well as the geometric considerations involved in these calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula for spin-orbit interaction energy but expresses uncertainty about how to derive the magnetic field from it.
  • Another participant states that spin-orbit splitting can be expressed as -μ*B, where B is the magnetic field acting on the 3p-electron and μ is the electron magnetic moment.
  • A participant questions the need to consider the angle between the magnetic moment (μ) and the magnetic field (B), suggesting that this angle is related to the angles between the orbital angular momentum (L) and spin angular momentum (S).
  • Further elaboration on the angle is provided, including a formula for cosθ in terms of quantum numbers, but the participant remains uncertain about the validity of this approach.
  • Another participant mentions that the angle is not well-defined and discusses the relationship between splitting, magnetic field, and quantum numbers, introducing a constant proportional to the electric field gradient.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the calculations and relationships involved in determining the magnetic field, with no consensus reached on the correct approach or interpretation of the angles and constants involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various quantum numbers and constants without fully resolving their definitions or the implications of these relationships, indicating potential limitations in the discussion.

boyu
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Consider the D1 and D2 transitions (3p --> 3s) of the sodium atom (Z = 11).

How to calculate the magnetic field experienced by the valence electron arising from its orbital motion, given that the wavelength difference between the D lines?

The formula that I have from lecture notes for spin-orbit interaction energy is

<V_{SL}>=\frac{Z^{4}\alpha^{2}}{n^{3}}E_{0}\frac{j(j+1)-l(l+1)-\frac{3}{4}}{l(l+1)(2l+1)}

But I can't see any method to calculate the magnetic field from it.
 
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Spin orbit splitting is simply -\mu*B, where B is magnetic field acting on 3p-electron, \mu is the electron magnetic moment.
 
Thanks for your reply, but I guess we still need to consider the angle between \mu and B, right?

And this angle is also given by the angle between L and S, since \mu is parallel to S and B is parallel to L.

Thus, cos\theta=\frac{j(j+1)-l(l+1)-s(s+1)}{2\sqrt{l(l+1)s(s+1)}},

since J^{2}=L^{2}+S^{2}+2L\cdot S=l(l+1)+s(s+1)+2\sqrt{l(l+1)s(s+1)}cos\theta

But I am still not sure about this answer...
 
boyu said:
Thanks for your reply, but I guess we still need to consider the angle between \mu and B, right?

And this angle is also given by the angle between L and S, since \mu is parallel to S and B is parallel to L.

Thus, cos\theta=\frac{j(j+1)-l(l+1)-s(s+1)}{2\sqrt{l(l+1)s(s+1)}},

since J^{2}=L^{2}+S^{2}+2L\cdot S=l(l+1)+s(s+1)+2\sqrt{l(l+1)s(s+1)}cos\theta

But I am still not sure about this answer...

Well, angle is not well defined value. Splitting is \delta=2\mu_B*C*(L*S), The mag field B=C*L. The quantum numbers here are S^2, L^2, J^2 and J_z. Thus B^2=C^2*L^2. C is some constat proportional to el. fiel gradient.
 

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