Anomaly in the electron orbital g-factor: analysis of data on Ar, Ne and He

Abstract

Abstract Deviations from the exact value 1, of the electron orbital g-factor g L , are determined from the measured g J ratios of some states of the noble gas atoms He, Ne and Ar. The calculated values are compared with those previously found from the ratio of the Lande g-factors measured on the atoms of In, Ga and Na. The anomalies obtained from some of the rare gas atoms are, at least, one order of magnitude higher, in absolute value, than those from the one-valence-electron atoms. Configuration interactions and perturbations are considered for the atomic states analyzed and are found to be negligible. Thus, the electron’s orbital g-factor appears significantly anomalous. The implications for QED and the structure of the electron are discussed.