The stark effect in the molecular spectrum of hydrogen
In considerations of the effect of electric fields on band spectra one finds attention focussed on the secondary spectrum of hydrogen, which alone shows appreciable Stark effect. Following some rather limited observations by early writers, Kiuti has given a more extensive analysis under low dispersion but high fields. This has remained the standard reference in all but the blue and violet regions where MacDonald has given better resolutions, and has succeeded in correlating some of the observed patterns with theory. The rapid advances made by Richardson and others in the classification of the normal H 2 spectrum together with the recent publication by MacDonald of a complete theory for the Stark effect in H 2 have increased enormously the interest attached to further experimental information. In addition, the Stark patterns have been shown to depend upon the rotational quantum numbers, so that the possibility of obtaining new information which may be of assistance in the analysis of the spectrum must not be overlooked.