An analysis of the Verdet constant

Abstract

The relation between the Verdet constant V and the ‘normal’ Verdet constant V N is explored for diatomic molecules. It is found to depend upon both the mean Πu and Σ+ u excitation energies as well as upon the frequency dependence of the isotropic and anisotropic dipole polarizabilities. An approximate formula is presented that allows the ratio of the two constants to be calculated from the frequency-dependent polarizability components alone and hence for V to be found from the much more accessible V N. H2 and N2 are taken as prototypical examples.