fine structure (redirected from Fine structure (spectral lines))

fine structure  (fn)

n.

1. Physics The splitting of spectral lines caused by the magnetic moments of orbiting electrons in the atomic nucleus.

2. Biology See ultrastructure.

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fine structure

n

(Physics / General Physics) 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

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

fine structure - the presence of groups of closely spaced spectrum lines observed in the atomic spectrum of certain elements; "the fine structure results from slightly different energy levels" spectrum line - an isolated component of a spectrum formed by radiation at a uniform frequency atomic spectrum - (physics) a spectrum of radiation caused by electron transitions within an atom; the series of spectrum lines is characteristic of the element