A classical analog of the quantum Zeeman effect

We extend a recent classical mechanical analog of Bohr's atom consisting of a scalar field coupled to a massive point-like particle [P. Jamet and A. Drezet, A mechanical analog of Bohr's atom based on de Broglie's double-solution approach, Chaos 31, 103120 (2021)] by adding and studying the contribution of a uniform weak magnetic field on their dynamics. In doing so, we are able to recover the splitting of the energy levels of the atom called Zeeman's effect within the constraints of our model and in agreement with the semiclassical theory of Sommerfeld. This result is obtained using Larmor's theorem for both the field and the particle, associating magnetic effects with inertial Coriolis forces in a rotating frame of reference. Our work, based on the old double solution theory of de Broglie, shows that a dualistic model involving a particle guided by a scalar field can reproduce the normal Zeeman effect.

Automated summary

This study extends a recent classical mechanical analog of Bohr's atom, which involves a scalar field and a massive point-like particle, by examining the influence of a uniform weak magnetic field on the system dynamics. The results show that within the constraints of the model, the Zeeman effect can be reproduced in agreement with semiclassical theory.