Phenomenological spin-orbit Hamiltonian

The operator [157] is a phenomenological spin-orbit operator. In addition to being useful for symmetry considerations, Eq. [157] can be utilized for setting up a connection between theoretically and experimentally determined fine-structure splittings via the so-called spin-orbit parameter Aso (see the later section on first-order spin-orbit splitting). In terms of its tensor components, the phenomenological spin-orbit Hamiltonian reads... 

The phenomenological spin-orbit Hamiltonian ought not to be used for computing spin-orbit matrix elements, though. An example for a failure of such a procedure will be discussed in detail in the later subsection on a word of caution. 

A phenomenological spin-orbit Hamiltonian, formulated in terms of tensor operators, was presented already in the subsection on tensor operators. Few experimentalists utilize an effective Hamiltonian of this form (see Eq. [159]). Instead, shift operators are used to represent space and spin angular... 

There is, however, one more interaction which should be (at least phenomenologically) included into the magnetic Hamiltonian the spin-orbit interaction. 

The first theoretical handling of the weak R-T combined with the spin-orbit coupling was carried out by Pople [71]. It represents a generalization of the perturbative approaches by Renner and PL-H. The basis functions are assumed as products of (42) with the eigenfunctions of the spin operator conesponding to values E = 1/2. The spin-orbit contribution to the model Hamiltonian was taken in the phenomenological form (16). It was assumed that both interactions are small compared to the bending vibrational frequency and that both the... 

Only spatially degenerate states exhibit a first-order zero-field splitting. This condition restricts the phenomenon to atoms, diatomics, and highly symmetric polyatomic molecules. For a comparison with experiment, computed matrix elements of one or the other microscopic spin-orbit Hamiltonian have to be equated with those of a phenomenological operator. One has to be aware of the fact, however, that experimentally determined parameters are effective ones and may contain second-order contributions. Second-order SOC may be large, particularly in heavy element compounds. As discussed in the next section, it is not always distinguishable from first-order effects. 

The term symbols encode the values of the quantum numbers L, S, and /, and an expression for the spin-orbit interaction energy of a many-electron atom follows directly. With the Hamiltonian in Equation 10.21 and with a phenomenological constant, y, specific to the atomic system, the energy associated with spin-orbit interaction in the absence of an exfernal magnetic field is... 

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