Observing the Stark Effect in the Lab: Visible to the Eye?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the visibility of the Stark effect in laboratory experiments. Participants confirm that the Stark effect is not visible to the naked eye and emphasize the necessity of using a spectrometer for accurate observation. One user attempted the experiment using a hydrogen and helium discharge tube with a Rhumkorff induction coil, yielding approximately 50 kV, but did not observe the expected spectral shifts. It is noted that while some reports indicate shifts of around 6 angstroms in early Balmer lines, visual confirmation without specialized equipment is unlikely.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Stark effect in atomic physics
  • Familiarity with spectrometer operation and resolution
  • Knowledge of discharge tubes, specifically hydrogen and helium
  • Experience with high-voltage equipment, such as Rhumkorff induction coils
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the operational principles of spectrometers and their resolution capabilities
  • Study the Stark effect and its implications in atomic spectroscopy
  • Investigate the use of high-voltage equipment in laboratory settings
  • Explore documented experiments on the Stark effect, particularly those involving Balmer line shifts
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Physics students, experimental physicists, and researchers interested in atomic spectroscopy and the Stark effect. This discussion provides insights into practical challenges and equipment requirements for observing atomic phenomena.

amalmirando
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has somebody carried out stark effect experiment in the lab?
is the effect visible to the eye or is it necessary to keep long exposures of the CCD to observe the effect?
 
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Yes, to begin with: Stark did it.

No, it's not visible to the eye. But I don't see why you would use a CCD.
 
i tried did the experiment and nothing happened with the field on and off. i used an ordinary digital camera with the maximum exposure but still not a thing happened.
 
amalmirando said:
i tried did the experiment and nothing happened with the field on and off. i used an ordinary digital camera with the maximum exposure but still not a thing happened.

Why would you expect to see anything? I doubt very much a digital camera could distinguish the relatively minuscule shifts caused by the Stark effect. You need to use a spectrometer.
 
please forgive me. all the while i was using the spectrometer and it's the observation part beyond that i was referring to.i guess i mistyped a lot...my question should be corrected as "after getting the spectrum through the spectrometer, would i be able to witness the splittings with the naked eye? or do i need a camera with high exposures?"
 
Guessing at why it did not work without knowing details is complicated.

What is your "sample"? Atoms? Molecules? Heterostructures? What is the resolution of your spectrometer? How large are your fields? Do you have an estimate of how large the shift should be in your case?
 
Cthugha said:
Guessing at why it did not work without knowing details is complicated.

What is your "sample"? Atoms? Molecules? Heterostructures? What is the resolution of your spectrometer? How large are your fields? Do you have an estimate of how large the shift should be in your case?

well ,first i used an ordinary hydrogen discharge tube but it's intensity was very weak .therefore i used a helium discharge tube. the field was provided by a rhumkorff induction coil estimated to yield around 50kv.some papers have reported the shifts in early balmer lines to be around 6 angstroms...
 
If I remember correctly, there is a demonstration experiment of the Stark effect in the "Deutsches Museum" in Munich. The spectrum is displayed on a screen, but I would say that the effect is strong enough to be seen also without a camera.
 
DrDu said:
The spectrum is displayed on a screen, but I would say that the effect is strong enough to be seen also without a camera.

thanks for the tip
 
  • #10
still, is there somebody who has done the experiment?
i have attached an image of my apparatus...
 

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