the splitting of a spectral line into two or more closely spaced components as a result of interaction between the spin and orbital angular momenta of the atomic electrons
Compare hyperfine structure
Examples of 'fine structure' in a sentence
fine structure
If the fine structure constant were a bit bigger, for example, atoms and molecules could not form.
Globe and Mail (2003)
They arise because of errors in building the fine structure of the skin from blood vessel pigment cells and other cells.