The Zeeman Effect
 

• A strong magnetic field affects atomic electron orbits

 
• Effects: split spectral lines, polarization

 

This diagram shows the transformation of one electron energy level into three for an atom in a magnetic field.
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                                                                            Magnetogram
 

• Zeeman splitting gives the line of sight magnetic field strength

 
• Polarization gives the transverse magnetic field strength and direction

 
• Vector map of magnetic field is created