hyperfineadj.
/ˈhʌɪpəfʌɪn/ Physics.
hyperfine structure n. (the presence of) multiplets of closely spaced lines in a spectrum that are closer together than those of fine structure; esp. multiplets that result from the further splitting of lines by the coupling between the magnetic moment (and higher multipole moments) of the atomic nucleus and the electromagnetic field of the electrons. Also (with ellipsis of structure), of or pertaining to this phenomenon.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > [adjective] > relating to hyperfine structure
hyperfine structure1927
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > [noun] > multiplets in atomic spectra > very closely packed
hyperfine structure1927
1927 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 13 430 The hyper-fine structure of λ 2537 of mercury has been shown..to consist of five lines of very nearly equal intensity.
1927 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 13 431 Each of the five hyper-fine structure lines has a triplet Zeeman pattern.
1942 J. D. Stranathan ‘Particles’ of Mod. Physics x. 400 Other details of characteristic line spectra, known as hyperfine structure, have made it necessary to assign also to the nuclei of atoms certain magnetic moments.
1950 D. Halliday Introd. Nucl. Physics xiii. 479 Hyperfine studies of optical spectral lines.
1953 N. F. Ramsey in E. Segrè Exper. Nucl. Physics I. iii. i. 358 If this fine structure is examined more closely, it is often found that each line of the fine structure can in turn be resolved into further lines or ‘hyperfine structure’ with a separation of the order of 1 cm−1.
1954 H. Semat Introd. Atomic & Nucl. Physics (ed. 3) viii. 273 Two distinct types of hyperfine structure have been observed. One type..has been explained as due to the presence of two or more isotopes of the element.
1958 E. U. Condon & H. Odishaw Handbk. Physics vii. vi. 88/1 Nuclear electric quadrupole hyperfine structure in molecular spectra has yielded a number of nuclear spins and quadrupole moments.
1962 H. D. Bush Atomic & Nucl. Physics iii. 58 If the fine structure is examined with the aid of very high resolution instruments, each component of the fine structure is resolved into further components with separations of the order of 1 cm−1 (hyperfine structure).
1965 C. M. H. Smith Textbk. Nucl. Physics viii. 229 If the number of hyperfine components can be counted, the nuclear spin I is obtained.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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adj.1927