The original experiment that measured this phenomenon prepared atoms in a particular state, then passed them through a region filled with transition-inducing electromagnetic radiation until the atoms struck a tungsten foil, resulting in a current due to Auger emission; the difference in current with and without the radiation gave the magnitude of this effect, which was about 1000 MHz (*) in frequency units.
Measuring this effect in the muonium system allows for a precise determination of the mean square proton radius, knowledge of which is necessary to calculate the magnitude of this effect in more familiar systems. The original experiment that measured this phenomenon prepared atoms in a particular state, then passed them through a region filled with transition-inducing electromagnetic radiation until the atoms struck a tungsten foil, resulting in a current due to Auger emission; the difference in current with and without the radiation gave the magnitude of this effect, which was about 1000 MHz (*) in frequency units. This effect can be explained in three Feynman diagrams, two of which represent vacuum polarization and the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron. Originally discovered by its namesake and R.C. Retherford, this phenomenon was explained by Hans Bethe in terms of the self-interaction of the electron. For 10 points, identify this hyperfine phenomenon of quantum electrodynamics in which the 2S-Â½ and 2P-Â½ orbitals in an atom have slightly different energy levels.
Measuring this effect in the muonium system allows for a precise determination of the mean square proton radius, knowledge of which is necessary to calculate the magnitude of this effect in more familiar systems.
Lamb Shift