The electron spin or spin angular momentum, S, obeys the same quantization rules

as those governing the orbital angular momentum of atomic electrons. In any given
direction, the Sz = ms, where ms = 1/2. The spinning electron also possesses a
magnetic dipole moment, s. Here, g is the Lande g-factor which is approximately 2.
If an electron is placed in a magnetic field, B, the magnetic moment will have
potential energy:

S =

[ ] e
2 me
g S
; U=
B ;
U =
[ ]
1 e
2 2 me
gB

If spin-orbit interactions are ignored, a given energy level for an atomic electron will
be spilt due to spin in two energy levels, with energy differing by:

=
[ ]
eh
2 me
gB

+U
E=U

Electron spin resonance (ESR) refers to the situation where photons of frequency f
are absorbed or emitted during transitions between these two levels of potential
energy U+ and U-. By measuring the frequency as a function of magnetic field, and
knowing the values of e and me, the Lande g-factor can be determined:

geB
E=hf f=
thus 4 me

The magnetic field used in this experiment is provided by a pair of Helmholtz coils in
a series connection with an AC and a DC power supply. Thus the magnetic field has
an average value, Bav, given by the DC power supply and a superposed AC 60Hz
component provided by the AC power supply.

A sample of diphenylpicrylhidrazyl (DPPH) is used to provide the electrons. An

unpaired electron in DPPH moves on a highly delocalized orbit so that its orbital
contribution to the magnetic moment is negligible. Thus the electron can be
considered a free electron with only its spin contributing to the magnetic moment
and the Lande g-factor can be assumed to be that of a free electron.

Experimental Setup

The Helmholtz coils have 320 turns each and a mean radius of 6.8 cm. They are
arranged parallel to each other at a distance of 6.8 cm apart with the terminals
pointing outwards. The ESR unit was arranged to have the smaller coil at the center
of the Helmholtz coils. The glass vial of DPPH was seated inside the small coil. The
Helmholtz coils were connected in series with the AC and DC power supplies, the
ammeter, and the resistor. A coaxial cable was used to feed the voltage across the
resistor to the X input of the oscilloscope. The digicounter, ESR unit, and frequency
divider were connected as follows:

A Gauss meter was used to measure the magnetic field at the location of the DPPH
sample as a function of coil current. The O-scope X-gain was set to 0.1 V/cm and the
coupling to DC. The screen was centered using the horizontal positioning knob and
the AC power supply was adjusted until the signal trace was 8cm wide. The ESR
frequency was set to its minimum value and the resonance peak was positioned on
the center of the screen. The magnetic field was adjusted via the SC power supply
until the range in X is symmetric around the center. The corresponding coil current
was recorded. This was repeated 3 times to determine the range of currents and
magnetic field where the resonance peak is located. This was performed for 6
different frequencies starting with the minimum obtainable and ending with the
maximum obtainable frequency. The DC current was recorded at each frequency.

Data and Error Analysis

The magnetic field is in units of Gauss, frequency is in Hz, and current is in mA. The
error in the magnetic field was calculated using the partial derivative of the
magnetic field formula with respect to current, number of coil turns, and coil radius.
These were then multiplied with their respective uncertainties and squared. The
square root of the sum of these squared values was used for the error in the
magnetic field.

Curre Freque
Magnetic Field Magnetic Field Error nt ncy
Calculate Measured Calc.
Measured d Error Error
5.52E+0
1.97E-03 2.00E-03 5.95E-05 4.21E-05 0.473 7
5.10E+0
1.85E-03 1.84E-03 5.49E-05 3.88E-05 0.436 7
 4.78E+0
1.70E-03 1.68E-03 5.03E-05 3.55E-05 0.398 7
4.58E+0
1.60E-03 1.60E-03 4.79E-05 3.39E-05 0.379 7
4.25E+0
1.49E-03 1.48E-03 4.44E-05 3.14E-05 0.35 7
3.92E+0
1.40E-03 1.38E-03 4.14E-05 2.93E-05 0.326 7
3.60E+0
1.25E-03 1.27E-03 3.84E-05 2.72E-05 0.301 7
3.16E+0
1.13E-03 1.13E-03 3.42E-05 2.41E-05 0.266 7
2.68E+0
8.91E-04 8.89E-04 2.75E-05 1.94E-05 0.21 7

The frequency was plotted as a function of magnetic field. A linear relationship was
expected. From the slope of the line, the Lande g-factor is obtained.

From the linear fit in Python, the value of the Lande g-factor is:

1.8775 +/- 0.046

Summary and Conclusion

A sample of diphenylpicrylhidrazyl (DPPH) was used due to its highly delocalized

electron which serves as a model for the behavior of a free electron. When placed in
a magnetic field, the potential energy levels split due to spin in two levels. During
transitions between these levels, photons of frequency f are emitted and absorbed.
The frequency of these photons was measured as a function of magnetic field
strength. This was used to calculate a Lande g-factor of 1.8775 +/- 0.046. The
current published value is g = 2.00232. This value does not fall within our
experimental limits but it is on the same order of magnitude. The experiment could
be improved by obtained more accurate values of the magnetic field, the current,
and the frequency of the photons.