The Stark Effect refers to the phenomenon where the energy levels of atoms or molecules are shifted and split in the presence of an external electric field. This effect is a result of the interaction between the electric field and the dipole moments of the atoms or molecules, leading to a change in their quantum states. The Stark Effect can be classified into two main types: the normal Stark effect, which occurs in systems with non-degenerate energy levels, and the anomalous Stark effect, which occurs in systems with degenerate energy levels.
Mathematically, the energy shift can be expressed as:
where is the dipole moment vector and is the electric field vector. This phenomenon has significant implications in various fields such as spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, and atomic physics, as it allows for the precise measurement of electric fields and the study of atomic structure.
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