Space Quantization in a Gyrating Magnetic Field

Abstract

The nonadiabatic transitions which a system with angular momentum $J$ makes in a magnetic field which is rotating about an axis inclined with respect to the field are calculated. It is shown that the effects depend on the sign of the magnetic moment of the system. We therefore have an absolute method for measuring the sign and magnitude of the moment of any system. Applications to the magnetic moment of the neutron, the rotational moment of molecules, and the nuclear moment of atoms with no extra-nuclear angular momentum are discussed.