Hyperfine Separation of Deuterium

Abstract

The hyperfine separation of deuterium has been measured by a spin-exchange technique in which deuterium interacts with radiating hydrogen in a hydrogen maser. Resonance of the deuterium is detected by its effect on the hydrogen oscillation power level. The result is $\Delta \nu \left(\mathrm{D}\right)=327\mathrm{} 384 352.3\pm 0.25$ cps in the $A1\mathrm{}$ time scale [$\Delta \nu \left(\mathrm{Cs}\right)=9\mathrm{} 192 631 770$ cps]. A theoretical analysis of the technique and experimental details are presented.