Lanthanum in a magnetic field

[Art Willems]

When the Lanthanum atom is placed in a magnetic field, a Zeeman split of the atomic energy levels, given by I occurs. Just as in NMR, each of these sublevels carries a certain population which may or may not be rather equal. When we let microwaves go through the La atom in the magnetic field, the microwave photons can excite particles of La to higher Zeeman levels, creating a small population inversion, although not as drastic as in a laser. When the particles return to their original level, the emitted photons can be used to make a resonance plot as seen in the slides.

[Art Willems]

I forgot to add that within EPR, the magnetic moment flips direction.

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