Effect of combined electric and magnetic fields on the helium spectrum
This paper deals with the observed effect of simultaneous electric and magnetic fields on certain of the more intense helium lines, and is further limited to the case where the fields are uniform and parallel. The effect of parallel fields was first considered by Garbasso, who adopted the classical view of the “rough” Stark-effect on H β as given by Voigt, and concluded that the effects due to the two fields should be simply superimposed. Shortly after this he was able to make visual observations which were restricted to H α owing to intensity requirements. A source of the Lo Surdo type was placed along the axis of the hollow poles of a Weiss magnet, and the analysis made with a Michelson echelon. In the electric field alone Garbasso observed two parallel components and one undisplaced perpendicular component. This corresponds to a so-called “rough” analysis of the Stark-effect in which the individual components are not observed. In the magnetic field he found a normal Zeeman pattern. With combined parallel fields there appeared two parallel components in the position of the Stark components of like polarisation, and two symmetrically placed perpendicular components with the normal Zeeman separation. This simple result could not be given a satisfactory interpretation on classical theory.