fine structure

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